OUR STORY: THE AFAR FOUNDATION
AFAR stands for “ Anciens du Foyer Alexandre de Rhodes” or the “Association of Former Students of the Alexander de Rhodes Center” in Saigon, Vietnam from 1960 to 1975. This center was created by the Jesuit Order in Saigon to provide for a selected number of Saigon University students an environment suitable for the pursuit of their studies while putting great emphasis on the development of the total person, professionally and morally, to be ready later to effectively serve society and the homeland. The Foyer motto is “ Esto Vir” or “ Be a Man”, an oath that all newly accepted students to the Foyer have to take. The students while staying at the center for their 4-6 years in the university are required to participate in other activities, charitable activities one week-end per month, conducting free health clinics, building shelters, distributing gifts… to the disadvantaged in the areas surrounding Saigon.
Continuing the same spirit, the AFAR Association established in 2010 the AFAR Foundation (AFF) as an instrument to carry on its tradition of serving the poor and the less fortunate
Following are the main characteristics of AFF:
- Goals: planning and executing charitable activities
- Guiding principles:
- Non- profit
- Totally voluntary
- Nondiscriminatory to religion, race, gender, geography…
- Organization :
- Members: all former students of AFAR Center are de facto members of AFF.
- Board of Directors: elected by AFAR members, in charge of fundraising, planning and executing all AFF activities.
- Financials: the fund comes from contributions of AFAR members and the public at large.
All AFF members donate their time and resources for the management the Foundation and its activities. No member receives any compensation.