A journey of uplifting the future of children in remote areas

On November 30, a deeply moving and meaningful programme titled "Winter of sharing love 2024" was held at Ban Hat Primary and Secondary School in Hat Luu commune, Tram Tau district.

This initiative was jointly organised by the Youth Union of the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and Vietnam Investment Review (VIR), along with Yen Bai Department of Planning and Investment Youth Union, Tram Tau Youth Union, and Yen Bai Youth Union.

"Winter of sharing love 2024" was held at Ban Hat Primary and Secondary School in Hat Luu commune, Yen Bai province

A total of 37 scholarships were presented to students, all of whom come from difficult backgrounds. Many of these students' families are classified as poor or facing significant economic hardship. Some students live with their grandparents due to their parents working far away, while others, whose parents are also distant, care for each other in the absence of their guardians. Despite these challenges, all of these students have excelled academically, achieving excellent and good grades in their studies.

Among the scholarships, 30 scholarships were granted by the “Vietnamese Children's Scholarship Fund”, which was established by VIR in 2007.

To date, this fund has allocated over $916,667 and awarded more than 21,000 scholarships to underprivileged students who excel academically. The fund has also supported the repair and upgrade of educational facilities in 40 cities and provinces throughout Vietnam.

During the ceremony, Nguyen Hieu Cong, secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Investment Office Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, expressed the deep commitment of Minister Nguyen Chi Dung to charitable work and social welfare. He emphasised that the MPI organises charitable activities annually, visiting communities across Vietnam to provide support and encouragement.

"We hope that the teachers will assist in distributing the clothes, books, and learning materials to the students who need them most. Moreover, we trust that the donated items, including the televisions and water purifiers, will be used to enhance both the teaching and learning environments, helping to improve the overall quality of education. Most importantly, we want the students to feel the warmth, love, and encouragement with every step they take towards their future," said Cong.

Nguyen Hieu Cong, secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Investment Youth Union at the charity day "Winter of sharing love 2024"

As part of the “Winter of sharing love 2024” program, the participants also donated three 45-inch televisions, five Son Ha RO water purifiers, 200 notebooks, 200 pens, 100 coloring books with crayon boxes, and 25 pairs of children's boots to Ban Hat Primary and Secondary School.

In addition to these substantial gifts, the program also brought more than 200 warm clothing sets and storybooks donated by the children of the staff of the Investment Review Newspaper. These gifts were accompanied by small, heartfelt cards containing messages of encouragement from peers. These simple words of support serve as a source of strength for the students in remote areas, motivating them to overcome difficulties and focus on their studies.

Each of the gifts, every scholarship, is not just a material offering but a symbol of the care and commitment of those who wish to see these children succeed. It is a tangible message to these students that they are not forgotten, that their dreams matter, and that the pursuit of knowledge is a path they can confidently walk, supported by the hands of a compassionate community.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Hien, principal of Ban Hat Primary and Secondary School, said, “Hat Luu is a particularly difficult highland commune that has successfully met rural development standards. Most of the students' parents work away from home, leaving the children to rely on extended family, and many of the students must take care of themselves from an early age. The gifts and scholarships from this programme are a great motivation for the students to study harder and will help improve the conditions for their education and daily life at the school.”

Nguyen Thi Thanh Hien (centre), principal of Ban Hat Primary and Secondary School, received five water purifiers from Son Ha Company

This charity day also served as a powerful reminder of the vital role that youth unions play in uniting and supporting communities through the spirit of mutual support. The passion and dedication of the young volunteers lifted the spirits of the students and helped spread the values ​​of compassion, solidarity, and social responsibility.

This shared effort demonstrates that, together, we can overcome challenges, inspire hope, and build a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.