CapitaLand Vietnam and Ascott support Vietnamese students in new school year

CapitaLand and Ascott volunteers including board members, senior managers and staff visited two CapitaLand Hope Schools- Thanh Phuoc A Hope School in the Mekong Delta province of Long An and Nang Yen Hope School in the northern province of Phu Tho- and joined the new school year ceremonies with teachers and students.

To mark the start of a new school year, CapitaLand and The Ascott gave out stationeries, schoolbags and shoes to around 500 students.

In addition, the volunteers also presented scholarships valued at VND50 million ($2,300), to 277 needy students. Besides that, the children also received lanterns, milk, cakes and candies from the volunteers.

The company staff also created the festive ambiance such as joining some interactive games, teaching hand-made toys and preparing some western food to make the children happy. It was very touched to see the children taste for the first time of their life spaghetti and hamburger which they had just seen in television or in books.

Vo Thi Ngoc Giau, vice principal of CapitaLand Thanh Phuoc A Primary Hope School, said, “We greatly appreciate CapitaLand’s effort in supporting the development of education for our children and we believe that this event marks the continuation of a lasting relationship between CapitaLand and our Hope School, and I hope that we can continue working together to further develop the future of the children in our community.”

The donation of VND200 million ($9,200) for the campaign ‘Supporting Vietnamese children going to school’ was contributed by CapitaLand and The Ascott’s staff through various fund raising activities. During the months of July and August, CapitaLand and The Ascott’s staff launched a fund raising campaign, namely “SG50-Join hands for Vietnamese children”.

The fund was raised by cash contribution and items donation which was later sold in the charity bazaar to residents of all Somerset buildings. In addition, the staff also organised the Vietnamese Food Festival which introduced traditional Vietnamese foods to foreign residents of Somerset buildings.

Lim Hua Tiong, general manager CapitaLand Vietnam, North Office, said “Since 2011, CapitaLand has helped to build two new Nang Yen Hope School and Thanh Phuoc A Hope School building as well as to upgrade existing schools facilities. Beyond donations, we are also committed to giving time and attention to schoolchildren through volunteer expeditions. The schoolbags and shoes we have donated today symbolise the potential of every child to achieve greatness through education, and the hope for a better future.”

Apart of building Hope Schools, CapitaLand Vietnam and The Ascott have also organised various community-minded activities such as blood donation, first aid training and various activities for street children.