FOUNDER – CREATIVE DIRECTOR
VIVI VU
I founded GIVE Sustainable after being inspired by my 5-year-old daughter’s drawing of a parrotfish. Watching her curiosity blossom as she researched sea animals, I realized how art and creativity can spark a lifelong love for nature in children. Drawing from my experiences as a mother, film producer, media neutralist, creative thinker, and day dreamer, I began creating unique programs and activities to help kids connect with the environment through art.
At GIVE, we encourage children to explore environmental issues in a playful and engaging way. For example, in our ‘Apprentice’ Program, we pair adolescents, aged 16-17, with 10-year-old ‘Starfish’ leaders, who then teach younger kindergarten children to draw. This peer-based teaching model is incredibly effective because younger kids love learning from their older peers more than from adults. By fostering these interactions, we create a collaborative learning environment where adolescents gain leadership skills, 10-year-olds experience the responsibility of mentorship, and younger children are inspired by their older friends.
Through this approach, we’re nurturing a new generation of leaders—young people who carry a passion for protecting our oceans and the environment into their futures.
Education can sometimes feel too preachy, while art is more reactive.
CREATIVE PRODUCT DESIGNER
AN DOAN
“As the Strategic Planner at GIVE Sustainable, and a mother of an 8-year-old, , I believe sustainability must be driven by more than just awareness—it requires action, responsibility, and the development of well-rounded skills.
At GIVE, we focus on equipping children and adolescents not only with a passion for environmental stewardship but with the practical skills needed to drive meaningful change. Art is not just a creative outlet; it’s a tool for problem-solving and a way to inspire innovative thinking about sustainability.
Through teamwork and leadership development, we are preparing the next generation to take decisive action in protecting our oceans and ensuring a sustainable future.
This is about fostering individuals who will go beyond conversation and lead with purpose.”
Remember, there is no planet B.
THE PARROTFISH PROTECTOR
GENEVIEVE
“My name is Genevieve, and I’m 10 years old. I was the one who first watched a cartoon about a parrotfish, and that little spark led to the founding of GIVE Sustainable. Since then, I’ve been all about protecting the ocean and showing others why it matters. I love drawing, exploring, diving, and even rescuing animals whenever I can.
At GIVE, I get to be part of some really cool projects. I help write scripts for our videos, do voice talent, and even design characters for our cartoons. It’s amazing to see my drawings come to life in a way that helps teach others. Speaking in our videos is one of my favorite things because I get to play with my voice and make our message really come alive for other kids.
One thing I can’t stand is seeing adults litter in the water. It’s so unfair to the ocean and all the animals living in it. GIVE has shown me that even as a kid, I can make a difference, and I’m excited to keep sharing my passion for the ocean with others and encouraging everyone to help protect it.“
THE FILMMAKER
LASZLO GAAL – LACO
Though I grew up in Hungary, far from any coastlines, my love for the ocean drew me to Vietnam, where I was captivated by its stunning tropical beaches.
However, my experience in Nha Trang opened my eyes to the reality of plastic pollution. I saw a beach, freshly cleaned, only to witness a tide of plastic wash ashore just hours later—debris from all over the world. It made me realize that ocean pollution is a global crisis, affecting even the most beautiful and peaceful places.
As a filmmaker, I felt compelled to do something meaningful. Joining GIVE Sustainable gave me the opportunity to use my skills to document the beauty of Vietnam’s coastlines, coral reefs, and the passionate children who are learning to protect them. Through film, I aim to showcase both the natural wonders and the challenges these environments face, inspiring others to act. GIVE is not just about protecting these shores but raising global awareness and driving change.
It’s my way of using storytelling to give back to a country that has inspired me deeply.
THE PRODUCER
HOA BT
Growing up in a coastal town, the ocean was always a huge part of my life. I’ve seen firsthand how much it means to the local community, providing food, jobs, and a way of life. But I’ve also witnessed the damage done by pollution—plastic washing up on shores, and the impact it’s having on the marine life that was once so abundant.
I joined GIVE Sustainable because I believe we need to take real action to protect the ocean. Through our projects, we’re not just talking about the problem; we’re getting people, especially kids, involved in doing something about it. By educating the younger generation, we’re laying the groundwork for real, lasting change.
For me, this is personal—it’s about preserving the ocean that shaped my childhood and making sure it’s still there for future generations.
