March was an intense and meaningful month for Mekong Plus, marked by a series of events across France and Belgium. From a private concert to university talks, media exposure and a major conference, this mission highlighted both the growing interest in our work and the importance of continuing to engage new audiences.
More than ever, these moments of connection are essential to share our vision, strengthen our network, and sustain our impact in Vietnam and Cambodia.
A First Concert in France: A New Audience, A New Energy
On March 8 2026, Mekong Plus organized a private concert in Bourg-la-Reine, featuring the talented pianist Jean Remise. The evening offered a beautiful and original musical journey, blending classical works with jazz interpretations and pieces by Jacques Brel.
Forty guests attended the concert, most of whom were discovering Mekong Plus for the first time. The atmosphere was both intimate and enthusiastic, showing that culture can be a powerful gateway to solidarity.
Beyond the evening itself, the impact was immediate and encouraging. Two participants expressed their wish to get involved and help organize future events in France. The initiative also opened new doors, with an invitation to a Rotary meeting scheduled for May 26 2026 and another concert already planned for June 14 2026.
This first experience confirms that cultural events can play a key role in expanding our community and raising awareness in new circles.
Media Visibility: A Strong Reception for Bernard Kervyn’s Book
On March 10, Bernard Kervyn was interviewed by RTBF to discuss his book Rebel Entrepreneur. The broadcast, soon to be aired in Belgium, marks an important step in increasing visibility around Mekong Plus and its mission.
The book itself is generating strong and heartfelt reactions. Journalist Adrien Joveneau shared his enthusiasm after reading it, highlighting the depth and authenticity of the story: “Having already met Bernard in Vietnam and worked with him in RTBF studios, I discovered new dimensions of his journey and his approach to community development through his book.”
He particularly emphasized the richness of the examples, the human dimension of the narrative, and the balance between sincerity, humor and reflection. This kind of feedback confirms that the book is more than a testimony. It is a powerful tool to engage readers and bring them closer to the realities of development work on the ground.
Although the book is not distributed in bookstores and relies on a more direct, “sympathizers” diffusion, it attracts a curious and engaged audience, opening meaningful conversations around solidarity and long-term commitment.
Engaging the Next Generation: University Talks in Belgium
Throughout March 2026, Mekong Plus also engaged with students through conferences at leading Belgian universities.
On March 19, Bernard spoke at KU Leuven in front of around fifty master’s students. A similar session followed on March 27 at ULB. These interventions focused on integrated development and the core principles behind Mekong Plus’s approach.
A key message resonated strongly with students: there is no “magic formula” for development. The success of microfinance and community programs depends above all on listening to local populations and building solutions together with them.
These exchanges were rich, interactive, and encouraging. They showed that younger generations are interested in meaningful engagement and open to questioning traditional approaches to development.
March 26 Conference: A Strong Collaboration with MMS and Étienne de Callataÿ
One of the highlights of the month was the conference held on March 26, bringing together a large audience around the themes of development, impact, and social engagement.
Alongside Bernard Kervyn, economist Étienne de Callataÿ and Claire Thibaut from Mothers & Midwives Support contributed to a high-quality discussion. The event reflected a successful collaboration between Mekong Plus and MMS, something that is often challenging to achieve between NGOs but proved highly valuable in this case.
The conference generated strong interest and meaningful exchanges with the audience. While no immediate follow-up events are planned with MMS, this collaboration stands as a positive example of what can be achieved when organizations align their efforts.
Expanding the Network: New Opportunities and Growing Interest
Beyond formal events, the March mission was also marked by numerous meetings with supporters and donors. These informal exchanges are essential to maintaining trust and building long-term relationships.
One particularly promising opportunity emerged with the proposal of a prestigious venue on Boulevard Saint-Germain in Paris, capable of hosting up to 150 people for future events such as concerts. This kind of support opens new perspectives for Mekong Plus in France.
At the same time, interest remains strong for experiential fundraising initiatives such as our Mekong Bike tours and river cruises, which continue to attract participants seeking meaningful and immersive ways to contribute.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
While the momentum is encouraging, the reality remains challenging. Fundraising is becoming increasingly difficult, and reaching new audiences requires constant creativity and effort.
In this context, the book Rebel Entrepreneur plays an important role as a bridge between Mekong Plus and a wider public. It sparks curiosity, generates discussions, and strengthens engagement.
March has shown that every event, every meeting, and every story shared contributes to building a stronger and more connected community around Mekong Plus.
More Ways to Help
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Sponsor a child with a scholarship: https://mekongplus.org/en/sponsor-a-child/
- Buy the wonderful craft made by our women artisans: https://mekongquilts.com/
- Finance a microcredit: https://mekongplus.org/en/finance-a-microcredit/
- Join our eco-tours: https://mekongplus.org/en/mekong-bikes/
- Make a donation to our programmes: https://mekongplus.org/en/donate/
- Follow us on Facebook: Mekong Plus & Mekong Quilts
