Teaching Schools and Academies in Ha Noi

After a few of years of teaching here in Ha Noi, I have observed the many dodgey teaching establishments that have mushroomed over the past three years. Many have words like American or English in the name of their academy to attract parents and students. Many use the Cambridge logo on their stationery letterheads for contract, on their photocopied text books (which are illegally photo copied without permission). Cambridge have informed me ' CIE at present does not work with language schools and we have a strict policy on the usage of the Cambridge International School logo.'Yours sincerely Victoria Hoffman Customer Services Advisor University of Cambridge International Examinations'
Many academies advertise 100% English language teachers teaching the courses. In Ha Noi there is ONLY one academy that does have 100%. The others have Vietnamese teachers doing reading and grammar, English speaking teachers usually teach listening and speaking only. If a class wants 100% ESL teacher they have to pay more in their fees.
Many fly-by night academies have substandard equipment, no photocopying machine, NO computers, projection or overhead screens. They have bare minimum used furniture, some places require a deposit of 2 million VND for text books. ALL ask for first lesson as a demonstration (without pay). Depending on the academy pay is always delayed up to three weeks. Many hold two weeks pay in hand. Some argue about your hours and its a hassle every month getting your pay correct (keep a record and compare with the sign in book before the month to check for anomolies).
Some places offer a 1 year contract, with a promise of a work permit, visas, bonuses etc. Usually you have to foot a medical check up bill about $95, notorising your certificates $30 a stamp cost at your embassy, police record check, visa cost and work permit all totalling up to $800. Just remember this NOT Australia, US or UK. 1 year contract is not worth the paper it is written on UNLESS it is notarise and red rubber stamped by the academy. Asking for your copy is like 'pulling teeth' hard to get as they haven't stamped it. They say, "Oh, the previous teachers never wanted one." Demand your copy! After a few months, your hours drop, (just remember your earning 4 times more than a Vietnamese' ESL teacher'), once they have got you in and the students see western faces, they then change your contract to part time, when you complain about they are breaking contract they say, "NO, NO we are just changing the wording from Full Time to Part Time, not breaking contract". All contracts here in Ha Noi benefit the employer, you have no recourse to complain to the Department of Labour & Industry. You'd need a lawyer who speaks English and Vietnamese, that costs more than your monthly salary. Many teachers complain on the Expat website about their treatments from the many shonky academies and basically the expat who has married a local are quick to bleat out just accept what happen and live and learn and go away. The academy who hires you on part time basis plays with your life, they ask your mobile to be on 7/11, and they more often call you 3 or 2 hours before a lesson and expect you to drop what your doing appear and teach cold. They have no concept or experience in education. Many employers treat the whole education as a money making cash business (they don't have credit cards or cheques). No matter how well you love teaching, you have to put up with bureaucratic B/S from Vietnamese who exploit and treat western teacher like furniture. I have not met ONE academy I could praise and recommend. I hear bad stories even from the more wellknown academies like EQuest, Apollo, Cleverlearn, Language Link. Every week or month these places advertise on the local websites for teachers. I wonder, if they were so good why are they going through so many teachers? Must be either bad treatment, bad work conditions, or lies about work contracts promises dishonoured. If you intend to stay for a year, you have to put up with getting a work permit or exit Vietnam every three months at your own expenses. NO MORE renewals of visas allowed. Currently no more 6 months or 1 year visas.

Raw Eating

The book RAW EATING from Aterhov inspired millions of people around the world to eat more raw food.

This book starts with very strong statements like :

“The cause of human diseases has been finally discovered. All diseases have one common cause and one common cure”.

“Diseases are caused by the introduction of cooked food and other poisonous substances into the organism”.

“The only radical means of curing diseases is to stop the intake of cooked foods and other poisonous substances.”

“Cooking deprives natural food of its nutritional properties and converts it into poisonous and harmfull substances.”

“All scientific data relating to the nutritive values of proteins, vitamins, minerals, etc. Are absolute misconceptions.”

“The trouble and expences undertaken by the whole world in preparing cooked meals are nothing but sheer waste.”

“People of the world, arise and come to your senses. You have been deceived for thousands of years. The conceptions of the whole medical world regarding the causes of diseases and the means to be adopted for their cure are erroneous and harmful. Drug therapy is the sorcery of our cooked-eating age.

In principle no poisonous substance can serve a useful purpose. Every so-called drug is poison which does nothing but harm. Drugs which are commonly regarded as means of curing diseases are, in reality, themselves the causes of diseases.

Cooked food is not nourishment. Cooking and refining destroy all the nutritive properties in natural foodstuffs and turn them into dead, poisonous and unnatural pathogenic substances. In general, diseases are nothing but the starvation of the organs of the body for natural nourishment and a lack of active cells on the one hand, and an accumulation of parasitic and inactive cells and various toxic material on the other hand. In order to free oneself from diseases it is enough to restore the necessary complement of former by the help of natural nutriments, and to starve and destroy the latter by stopping the consumption of cooked food.

Raw Food should be the only nourishment taken by man. All the 'scientific' calculations that have been developed on the nutritive values of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and the nutrients are entirely erroneous, contradictory and hypothetical notions. The only faultless and perfect calculations which are not open to criticism are those that have been made by nature itself and have been presented to us in the form of Living Vegetable Cells. Once the living nutriment has been killed, no scientific laboratory can reconstruct it by means of its artificial vitamins and minerals.

By the process of cooking the living vegetable loses its nutritional properties and is converted into toxic substances that induce addictions and just like tobacco, alcohol and opium they have no connection with the needs of the organism. The lust for cooked food is not hunger; it is the demand of addiction for poisonous materials. The trouble and expenses undertaken by the whole world in preparing cooked meals are nothing but sheer waste.

Besides ensuring prefect health and long life (150 to 200 years), raw eating frees mankind from all sorts of economic worries, extirpates every type of addiction from the face of this earth, ennobles the soul of man, restrains his beastly inclinations, calms his passions and imbues him with the spirit of humanitarianism and the love of peace .

The best proof of the truth of my viewpoint is the irrefutable fact that raw-eating is an immediate and radical cure for all diseases without any exception. A vast amount of concrete and indisputable evidence has come to hand in support of this statement. Thousands of letters received from raw-eaters of various nationalities all over the world prove that all those patients who stop the use of drugs and cooked food are immediately and invariably cured of every kind of disease. Every recruit to raw-eating insures himself against ill-health for the rest of his life and at the same time effects a welcome economy of no less than eighty percent in the cost of his diet. People are not old at the of 80 or 90; they are sick men who may be completely cured and rejuvenated. The most serious, stubborn and seemingly incurable diseases, the causes of which are often declared to be unknown, including cancer and cardio-vascular diseases, immediately yield to an abstemious diet of raw-eating.

Kitchen fires should be extinguished in hospitals, the use of drugs should be discountinued and an end should be put to unnecessary surgical operations. Henceforth, there should no longer be any special dietetic programmes, recommendations or schedules for anybody. Raw-eating must be declared as the one and only means of curing diseases all-over the world.

The raw-eater may eat once a day or ten times a day; he may feed on one kind of fruit or a hundred kinds. From the point of view of health it makes no difference, because each individual raw vegetable taken seperately provides complete nourishment in itself. The raw-eater must be guided not by lists of 'scientific' or 'dietetic' recommendations, but by the demands of his appetite and palate, which will always be his unerring guide in the selection of natural nutriments. The surest, the safest and the easiest way is to consume our food in the state in which nature has prepared and presented it to us, by simply crushing it under our teeth.

People should no longer read books that deal with the etiology of diseases, diagnosis, therapeutics, drugs, vitamins, minerals, protiens, calories, etc. All those 'scientific' postulates by which biologists try to represent cooked food as nourishment are baseless conjectures and vain delusions. All diseases originate from one common cause and have one common method of cure.

The vegetarians and non-vegetarians,who try to consume a little more fruit than usual, have the presumption to regard themselves as raw-eaters. No one, however, can consider himself a raw-eater, if he takes even one cooked meal a month, because in that way he will never be able to free himself entirely from diseases. This is because in the initial stages of raw-eating a certain number of diseased cells may fall into a stage of dormancy and prolong their existence in that condition for quite a long time. Only one cooked meal a month may than be enough to resuscitate them and afford them theopportunity to multiply again. As soon as a raw-eater takes a morsel of cooked food, he assuredly provides those diseased cells with fresh nourishment and gives them a new lease of life. Consequently, when somebody is not able to free himself completely from the scourge of diseases, he must look for the cause in those occasional transgressions and in no other quarter. There can be no justification at all for those defaults.

As matters stand, at this very moment there are certain countries where people are suffering from manmade shortage of food and are under the constant threat of starvation. An official declaration is all that is needed to accomplish the long-awaited miracle of bringing abundance into the world. Unfortunately, this simple and plain declaration that cooking debases natural foodstuffs and converts them into harmful substances dose not appear anywhere. This is a striking indication of how deeply immersed is humanity today in ignorance, prejudice, superstitions and loathsome addictions. Words like civilization and progress ring hollow when they are applied to people who, notwithstanding all that has been said and written, still refuse to admit that cooking is an unnatural and pernicious operation.

They say that biologists have made stupendous advances in their knowledge. It seems to me that the more they advance, the more must they realize that they know nothing! It is not among those biologists "steeped in contemporary knowledge and learning" that we come across venerable patriarchs who have lived to be 140-150 years of age. We meet such people at a fair distance away from the great centres of learning, in the bosom of nature, where they are partially immune from the harms caused by drugs and excessively degenerated foodstuffs. How much longer and healthier their lives would be, if they were spared even that partial degeneration to which their food is subjected at present. What gives me the right and the courage to challenge almost every current conception of medical science is the fact that 100 percent raw eating puts an immediate end to all diseases radically and simultaneously. Test, and you shall be convinced!”

“I am making no exaggeration when I regard as murderers and criminals all those people who, by some fanciful pretext or other, forbid the sick and the invalid their natural diet - fresh vegetables and fruits, which are the only effective means of restoring their lost health.”

“Through their deplorable ignorance those 'learned scientists' perpetrate greater massacres than Attila or Hitler ever did. By their foolish recommendations they kill millions of people, day in and day out, without any relief or respite. Among similar unconscious criminals are all the manufacturers and distributors of medicines, beverages, tobacco, refined floor, meat, sugar, coffee and a host of other injurious products like these. Every factory producing such unnatural, degenerated substances does more harm to humanity than the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. God is unerring, and any attempt to use fire in order to improve the quality of the natural, faultless foodstuffs created by Him for human comsumption is tantamount to doubting His supreme wisdom. It is, indeed, an open sacrilege.”

Arshavir ter Hovannessian

Looks like someone we know?

Buddhism and Meat Eating

Over the past 10 years many people are turning to Budhhism, maybe seeking a deeper meaning to their life's path. We know Buddha teachings of the Dharma denounced the eating of meat and fish. Yet many 'pseudo' Buddha followers whether for spiritual reason, just don't get it. Compassion for ALL life.
Buddha belief in karma tells them "that bad actions have bad consequences". "the eating of meat has negative karmic effects, and that the killing and eating of creatures is tantamount to self-killing.
We know the majority of Buddhists eat dead corpse, and try to argue against this. Take the "leader" of the "western Buddhist movement" Dali Lama, to me a hypocrite! This suppose leader of compassion eats without a second thought all animals served up to him, has never uttered one word of compassion of the non-humans in all his dogma? But plenty of compassion about humans! Why is this?
Hsuan Hua recently uttered such passionate sayings as: "If you really think about it, it is
people eating people". "The grief and hatred brewed up in a pot of meat stew is as deep as
the ocean."
It is said the Bhuddist philosophy has spread about 328,000,000 worldwide, can you wonder how many animals would live if the teachings of Buddha was adhered to, and not commercialise to suit their own teachings.
Just think today how many turkeys, pigs, cows, chickens, sheep would not be slaughtered if at least 328,000,000 people had gone vegan for the day at least !
Shabkar Tsodruk Rangdrol 1781-1851, a Tibetan Yogi strongly discourages eating animals.

People who eat meat often make the excuse that it is natural to do so, that people were meant to eat meat. They promote this idea, and then freely indulge in taking the lives of their fellow creatures, thereby creating extensive hatred and enmity-karma.

Over time, as their killing and consuming becomes a habit, meat eaters no longer feel their killing is unusual. They do their evil deeds unknowingly, unaware of the consequences of slaughter and the resentment it evokes.

Orgyen Trinle Dorje (1985-)

H.H. Orgyen Trinle Dorje, Karmapa XVII*, is vegetarian since a few years. At January 3, 2007, he made a strong statement against eating meat within his monasteries and centers. With immediate effect:

• No meat is to be prepared in the kitchen of any Kagyu Monastery or Centre.
• No one is to be involved in the business of buying and selling meat – for all of his students this practice must stop.
• There is to be no killing of animals on Kagyu premises.
• Karmapa is aware of monks in robes going to buy meat and does not want to see this ever again.

17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinle Dorge gave a talk to 6,000 people in January and offered
explanations of why he did not eat meat or fish. He said he was very distraught over seeing the
slaughter of animals in his home, he became a devout vegetarian. However he did
not condemn meat eaters but gave a positive account of the benefits of vegetarianism. He
made statements such as: "Nothing is more precious than this naturally arising kindness
towards other beings" and quoted two main reasons for not eating meat: "The teachings of
the lord Buddha require that we act with kindness and preserve all life" and "Because of
our connection to his holiness, by improving our conduct we can reduce obstacles to his
life."
Refs wikipedia.org/wiki/Hsuan_hua. drba.org shabkar.org

Another couple of a MLM preying on vegans/raw foodies

I attended a talk recently about the healing power of wholefoods. The talk was about the failed MLM Don Tolman 'Brain Food.' Which since has had a name change and Don Tolman has gone. In Australia they go by the name 'Abundant Garden', same dogma as 'Brain Garden'. Abundant Garden claims that its products contain so much goodness that it can fight away all diseases and you can replace all your medicines with nature’s cures. You can enjoy excellent health and wellness.

However, there is always the monetary kit that these MLM roll out at the end of these talks. We just had Arbonne come and go another MLM. Brain Garden (Abundant Garden) is making money through their multilevel marketing company. Although Abundant Garden markets fresh and natural products, it is simpler and cheaper to get your supply of fresh vegetables and fruits from your local grocery. You need not pay high charges with additional shipping expenses. Abundant Garden seems to be telling and advertising that everyone is lacking in essential nutrients and can gain good health only by using wellness products of Abundant Garden? All this Phi Pi fooey and dragging up ancient historical stories is a load of cobbers. I'm off to the local whole food market to buy some organic fruit and veggies. Keep away from MLM, another American disease.

The Supplement Myth!

I have seen a proliferation of potions, powders, pills and liquid magic supplements adorning wall to wall in healthfood shops and now chemist/pharmacy shops (who are getting in on the act). In Australia this is a multi billion dollar profitable business, yet the people who buy this rubbish still continue to take these supplements and yet are they benefitting from these doses? Vitamin and mineral supplements are robbed of their nutrients by the process they are treated with to get them into the bottles/packets. If you go back to why are you taking these magic bullets, you might get to the root of your problems! If you are consuming processed foods or eating a bad diet, swallowing supplements is NOT going to solve your issue. Processed foods is devoid of natural nutrients, so you should be eating as much as possible natural organic produce, which has the nutrients that you need. Much of the supplements are synthesised with with toxic chemicals such as magnesium stearate or stearic acid, silicon dioxide, metylcellulose, carnauba wax, titanium dioxide and many more concoctions in a laboratory setting under high heat and under centrifugal forces. These vitamins can stimulate a cell's metabolism, but it can not upgrade or replace the cell's component with the superior, 'better' element. Our bodies are NOT chemical factories, the body knows the difference of 'bad denatured' supplements, so many of the fancy supplements like the water-soluble vitamins, are flushed out of the body easily. The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K tend to build up in the body's fat tissues, fat deposits, liver etc. This will cause potentially serious toxic side-effects over a period of time, so its better to eat a more natural organic plant-based diet. Prior to 1990 nobody took vitamin E now millions of people are popping down daily doses. Yet there is NO evidence that vitamin E is an antioxidant, but can cause neurological problems. You cannot reproduce the health benefits of an organic plant-based diet by taking supplements. In order to obtain optimal health, you must maintain a form of holistic healthy physical, mental and emotional living. Reduce stress, exercise daily, sleep well and eat a rich diet of fruit and vegetables, eliminate ALL animal products. Using supplements, potions, powders etc is a waste of dollars, there is no magic bullet, many supplements acts as a false support for your body. So why not spend less on 'potions' and spend the same on good natural fruits and vegetables. Nutritional supplements such as vitamin B is made from petrochemicals! If the label states vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (calcium pantothenate) you can be sure this 'junk' nutri-supplements are toxic. So when you next grab effervescent vitamin C, high-dose vitamin E, cranberry capsules, green tea extract, bee vomit, or some other antioxidant pill proven evidence over the past years has shown at best antioxidants supplements do little or nothing to benefit our health.
refs new scientist issue 2563 page 40-43 '06, earthsave '06, seattle times '07

honey (bee vomit)

As an ethical vegan, over the years I have come across many raw fooders and have read in numerous raw food books example Fabulous Living Food Recipes by Paul Benhaim who promotes the use of honey and bee pollen in their recipes. What is natural about stealing bee's food, bit like stealing cow's milk which is for the calf? These 'psuedo' raw foodies are having themselves on. Firstly some facts on honey. Honey (bee vomit) is produced by bees, bees are insects and therefore are animals. HONEY IS NOT VEGAN. Has that sunk in raw foodies who use honey products? There no such thing as 'organic' honey, since when do bees fly to organic flowers and plants and other bees fly to non-organic flowers and plants? Organic honey is a furfy. Queen bees are artifically inseminated with sperm obtained from decapitated bees. The queen bees are slaughtered every two years because over a period of time their egg producing abilities decline (in her natural lifespan she produces half a million eggs, however, as she lives for two years in the factory farm hives she produces 150,000 eggs). So then the hive becomes unproductive and uneconomic. When the human bee stealers smokes the hive and remove the combs many bees are crushed and killed, many lose their legs and wings. The clipping of the queen bees prevent them from swarming (flying off). Bees are also victims of vivisection and in Australia trials are being undertaken to produce a 'stingless' bee for easier handling. Other experiments are conducted in research and development (Macquarie University is one) into colonies that will produce more honey thus making more money. Bees left in their natural environment have 40,000 to 60,000 bees in the swarm and can survive up to 20 years and fly about 800km in their life. In the factory farmed hives the bees live a much lesser life the queen bee up to 2 years! Bee Pollen is the food source for bees yet human steal the pollen from the bees for their own greed. Royal Jelly is the sole source of nourishment for the queen bee, again the human steals this for their own vanity. Venom (sting of the bee) is collected by putting an electrically charge membrane across the entrance to the hive, so when the bees fly into the factory farm hives they receive an electric shock and sting the membrane, thus depositing the venom. This is collected by the bee stealers which is used in 'pseudo' medicine industry. Propolis is a resinous substance produced by the bees to fill the holes, varnish and strengthen the hive, bees also use it as a natural antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal agent, again is stolen by the human bee stealers for medicine and food supplement. If after you have read this and you feel good about eating bee vomit, don't tell yourself you are a vegan/rawfoodie. Alternatives maple syrup, concentrated fruit juices, molasses, golden syrup, stevia, rice syrup, xylitol-plums and dates.