Ninh Thuan Province, Central Vietnam
One of Vietnam’s poorest areas, the Ninh Thuan Province, has also been severely affected by the lingering after-effects of Agent Orange, as well as by the consequences of global climate change. Many of Ninh Thuan’s children are from disadvantaged ethnic groups and are orphaned or suffer from birth defects. Many live in such dire conditions that their parents cannot afford to provide them with basic amenities or a proper education. Although the national average literacy rate in Vietnam is remarkably high at well over 90%, school attendance in Ninh Thuan Province lies at only 74%, and literacy is well below standard
The VNH Foundation is helping some of the most disadvantaged youth in the province by providing orphaned and handicapped children with scholarships that give them access to basic education. With a budget of USD 77,000 per year, the Foundation is sponsoring the education of approximately 1,720 children. In the coming years, the VNH Foundation plans to continue this scholarship project and to pursue further opportunities to improve the livelihood of these underprivileged children.