All of us at saigonchildren share the sadness of those who loved the children found dead in Essex. This tragedy reinforces our commitment to keep helping the most vulnerable children and young people here in Vietnam.
The causes of this tragedy are likely to be diverse and complicated, but taking the first steps towards a solution can be more simple.
At Saigonchildren we strongly believe that education and opportunity are key to securing a bright and prosperous future. Every day we support children to stay in school and to join vocational training courses, giving them the chance to break their own cycle of poverty and contribute to the prosperity of their families, community and country.
Every day we see that once children are given the chance of education and the proper support, each will strive to fulfill their potential. Once we support a child, we stay with them until they finish their education.
There is a simple, effective way to help children today – by supporting our child development scholarship programme. With your help, Saigonchildren can provide another child with education, food and a social worker.
Keep children learning, not earning.
One story from among thousands of our scholarships:
“My name is Le Van Trung. I am 22 years old and I was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City. I am in my final year studying Sociology at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. My father died when I was 14 years old. It was difficult for all of us. My mother was a factory worker and earned very little, although she worked 12 hours a day. My brother dropped out of school because my mother couldn’t pay for both of us. He went to work, although he was young. I was so sad and angry because we were struggling. We did nothing wrong but bad things kept happening to us. It became difficult to manage. I was little and not useful. I felt helpless.
I learned about Saigonchildren when I was in 9th grade. Things became a little easier for my family once I received a scholarship. My mother stopped worrying about school fees. My brother applied to a non-government high school and graduated 3 years later. I finished high school and was accepted to university. My mother can work less now because I can support myself. Hard times have passed because of the people who gave me a chance to follow my dreams.”