The 2024–2025 school year marks the second year of saigonchildren’s five-year “Educational Development Project for Under-Served Students in Difficult Circumstances in Bình Dương Province (2023–2028)“, implemented in partnership with local stakeholders. This year, 100 students from primary to high school levels continued to benefit from our Child Development Scholarship Programme, funded by SC Johnson.
Scholarships empowering students to stay in school
Each beneficiary received a scholarship covering essential educational expenses, including tuition fees, uniforms, textbooks, stationery, and more. These scholarships are designed not only to ease financial burdens on families, but also to ensure children can pursue their education without interruption.
Beyond academic support, the programme focuses on the students’ overall well-being and personal growth through counselling and practical life skills training.
Training workshops building real-world skills
Throughout the school year, students participated in a variety of engaging workshops designed to reflect their age group and evolving societal needs. Key topics included:
- Environmental protection: Activities such as waste collection and recycling, and a drawing competition promoting energy-saving habits and environmental cleanliness.
- Online safety: Equipping students with an understanding of both the benefits and risks of the internet, along with practical strategies for safe digital navigation.
A particular highlight was the career orientation workshop held in March for Year 11 students in Dầu Tiếng. The session sparked a lot of interest and lively discussions around questions like “How do I become a researcher?” or “What challenges do kindergarten teachers face?”. This workshop was joined by members of the SC Johnson team, who generously shared their personal and professional experiences. Their stories provided students with a realistic and inspiring view of the world of work, encouraging them to explore their passions and begin preparing for their future careers.
A day in the forest: learning through nature
Also as part of this year’s programme, 78 scholarship students spent a day at the Đồng Nai Nature and Culture Reserve. The trip aimed to deepen students’ understanding of Vietnam’s natural environment and southern cultural values, while also nurturing their emotional and social development.
Accompanied by tour guides, the students explored the reserve, viewed an elephant skeleton and specimens of rare animals once native to the region, and hiked through the forest to discover unique tree species. Older students took part in tree planting and care activities, while younger ones joined drawing sessions designed to teach about forest ecosystems and environmental protection in a hands-on, age-appropriate way.
