Jimmy
Pham

Speaker Profile

Jimmy Pham knows his purpose; to make a difference, and through knowing one and teaching one, he has.

Twelve years ago, the Founder and now Managing Director of KOTO international (a not for profit organisation, unique vocational training program and restaurant) had an encounter on the streets of Vietnam which would change his life, and the lives of hundreds more young and disadvantaged Vietnamese, forever.

The then travel consultant was moved by the poverty and hopelessness of the street kids he saw when he returned to Vietnam after a 22-year absence. Jimmy set about helping them in the simplest of ways; he fed them and gave them access to showers and accommodation, but left Vietnam knowing this was not the solution, but that he wanted to make a difference!

Four months later he returned to Vietnam, armed with just his philosophy and passion, and set about supporting the kids that he had encountered previously. Nearly four years later, he asked the same street kids that he was helping what they believe they needed to gain a better tomorrow. The answer was surprisingly simple, “we need skills”, they said. From this the concept of KOTO (Know One, Teach One) was born.

KOTO, a small sandwich shop in Hanoi, gave 9 street kids jobs, skills and most importantly hope for a better life. From this humble beginning, the evolution of KOTO has been extraordinary. KOTO is now a 120-seat restaurant, registered charity and highly regarded vocational training program, where its students learn the hospitality skills that will become the silver bullet to end the cycle of poverty.

The 18 months program also teaches English, health, hygiene, sport and other life skills. These necessary skills will not only empower the KOTO students for life, but give them dignity and pride.

The KOTO program is an internationally recognized training centre through Australia’s Box Hill Institute of TAFE and is renowned locally as the premier training institution by all major hotels and international restaurants in Vietnam.

KOTO boasts a 100% percent graduate employment rate, and 35% of the KOTO restaurant staff are former graduates.

The story of KOTO and Jimmy Pham has generated enormous media interest throughout ASIA as well gaining impressive international attention from the BBC and the hallowed pages of the Wall Street Journal. In 2005, ABC Australia aired the program Jimmy’s Kitchen, which was viewed by an audience of millions.

In 2006 Jimmy received the prestigious James Strong Outstanding Leadership Award for his achievements and in 2011 he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

The Jimmy Pham and KOTO story is as unique as it is inspiring and there is still more to be told. Jimmy’s vision is that the KOTO concept will be replicated throughout Vietnam and Asia, giving thousands more street kids hope, dignity and the life changing skills that KOTO has brought to the streets of Hanoi.