An Interview with Vy
Ms. Pham Thanh Thuy Vy has volunteered as a Communication Advisor at Disability Resource and Development (DRD), one of LIN’s local not for profit partners, since September 2011. The researcher at HCMC Economics University has been using her expertise in Social Media to advise DRD on a campaign to promote the “Accessibility Map for Disabled people”. Her energy and tireless contributions to DRD are the reasons for her selection as the “Best Skilled Volunteer” by LIN Center in 2011.
In an interview with LIN Center in January, 2012, Ms. Vy talked about her volunteer experience at DRD.
Q: How has volunteering at DRD changed you?
Pham T. T. Vy: I notice that I have matured and developed myself. I have gone from sticking to my opinion to considering that of other people in a team, an organization and the whole society. I think the motivation and responsibility of a volunteer should come from within and not from any external factors. I volunteer with a belief, a lot of dreams and a high sense of responsibility.
Q: What did you achieve and what did you lose by volunteering your skills set?
Pham T. T. Vy: Businessmen often say that “When you invest in something, it should be a profitable investment”. Time, energy and expertise of a skilled volunteer are their “investment” into the society. And the “profit” from it is the organization’s efficiency, the outcome of a project, and the benefit it yields to the society. The final outcome may not satisfy the volunteer, however, by actively engaging, we could notice the improvement and development of the organization that we are supporting.
Q: You once said that you would like to introduce Social Marketing to your university as a subject. Where did this idea come from?
Pham T. T. Vy: Social Marketing is an interesting subject but it has not been taught at universities in Vietnam. The gathered volunteering experience in the past 8 years has increased my understanding about social problems, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations. They are valuable inputs for my further research and development of this subject in the future.
Q: How will you continue your support at DRD in 2012?
Pham T. T. Vy: We are launching the Map and promoting the message “A city without barriers” in February and March. We are also planning a series of activities at public areas crowded with students and young people to raise awareness of the campaign.
Written by: Hồng Nhung (LIN's Volunteer)