Our goal is to foster a sustainable development in the communities and to give them the tools to solve their problems themselves. In that regard, education is key. In Vietnam, school is not free and its cost can be too much to burden for the poorest families. The children stop going to school at a young age to work and help their family make ends meet, continuing the cycle of poverty. This is why Thien Chi commits to offer more than 1500 scholarships every year for children of all ages, in 135 schools.
Our partnerships with the schools, the village workers and the local authorities allow us to assess precisely which children need the scholarships the most. During the school year, regular visits of the families can help us monitor the situation. Attendance is a pre-requisite. Thien Chi commits, but the families commit too. If the child misses class a lot without any relevant reason, the support stops.
The scholarships represent an amazing opportunity for the children. Firstly, it gives them a lot of motivation to do well in class. Secondly, going to school keeps them away from home, where they would stay all day without the scholarships. They can develop a lot better, learn to live in society but also open up their perspectives. They can dream of a better future. With a high level of education, they can access better jobs and break the poverty cycle. Overall, a scholarship is a source of hope for the entire family.