Know One, Teach One (KOTO)

While Vietnam is a rapidly growing tourist destination, youth from disadvantaged backgrounds lack the vocational and language skills needed to take advantage of the opportunities the hospitality and tourism industries provide. KOTO is a leading nonprofit provider of vocational training for disadvantaged young people (those on the street, released from detention, orphaned and other) with a strong track record of employment for graduates of its intensive restaurant training and practice program. With EMpower’s support, KOTO is expanding its successful model in Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, to include a mentoring and coaching program for graduates of the Hanoi program to guide Ho Chi Minh City trainees.

With EMpower’s second grant, KOTO is providing trainees who have completed the 2-year training at the Saigon training center the opportunity to gain critical hands-on experience at KOTO’s full-service restaurant in Hanoi.