Who We Are

Armed with a Paintbrush is a young and growing non-profit organization that raises funds in an effort to better the lives of disadvantaged and disabled youth in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Funds are raised through donations from generous individuals, who will receive one or more of the paintings created by the children depending on the amount donated. All AWAP staff are volunteers who give freely not only of their time, but also of their personal finances as they assume some of the overhead expenses involved in serving the children and maintaining the organization.

Founders

President

Sarah Beck, founder of Armed with a Paintbrush, has been working with disadvantaged and disabled youth in Ho Chi Minh City—both directly, and indirectly from the US—since she founded the organization in 2003. In February 2008, after completing a two-year commitment to Teach For America, where she taught 6th and 7th grade special education in Bronx, New York, Sarah returned to Vietnam to further the development of Armed with a Paintbrush.

Director

Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong has played a critical role in Armed with a Paintbrush’s success since 2004. Having worked with Vietnam’s disadvantaged and HIV/AIDS affected youth in many different capacities since 1990, Phuong provides the organization with an invaluable wealth of knowledge and experience. Her dedication to AWAP’s mission has ensured not only that the organization survived in Sarah’s absence, but also thrived. When she is not working to better the lives of disadvantaged youth, Phuong teaches a pre-law course at Ho Chi Minh City’s Open University.