Dream Meeting 2019 in Ho Chi Minh City: 50 Ethnic Minority Girls Ready For A New Journey

On July 14, 2019, The VinaCapital Foundation and Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund have jointly organized the 3-day Empowerment Workshops in Ho Chi Minh City for 50 ethnic minority girls, members of the A Brighter Path program. The event has the honor to welcome Mme. Truong My Hoa, Former Vice President of Vietnam, Chairwoman of the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund, Mr. Rad Kivette, Chief Executive Director of VinaCapital Foundation, and distinguished guests.

A Brighter Path girls and the facilitators of Dream Meeting 2019

Mme. Truong My Hoa, Former Vice President of Vietnam, Chairwoman of the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund making a speech at the Gala Dinner of Dream Meeting 2019

The Dream Meeting equips rural ethnic girls with the necessary skills and motivation for completing their high school education and preparing for university in the city. They visit three major campuses, the University of Economics, the University of Social Sciences & Humanities, and the University of Medicine, to better understand the environment that awaits them in one year. The leadership and public speaking skills workshops led by CEO Le Thi Thao, international designer Betty Tran, and Brighter Path graduate Thach Ngoc Anh Thu aim to increase the girls’ confidence and competency. Another workshop, the critical knowledge of sexual and reproductive health, is chaired by Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, former Director of Tu Du Hospital. The girls received first-aid training from Survival Skills Vietnam and practiced their English skills around historical places in District 1. On this occasion, the students also have the honor to become members of the “Vi Hoang Sa – Truong Sa Than Yeu” club and begin their contribution to the sustainable growth of Vietnam’s island and coastline communities.

First-aid training by Survival Skills Vietnam

The girls visiting Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh city

The girls speaking English to foreigners in English speaking challenge

The girls speaking English to foreigners in English speaking challenge

“A Brighter Path” is a 7-year education initiative for exemplary ethnic minority girls who are selected based on excellent academic records and passion for social improvement. The goal of the program is to empower the girls to overcome poverty and cultural barriers and become competent and confident as leaders in their communities. The girls will inspire other people in their communities to dream, build a career, and live their life in a more productive way. In addition to tuition fees, scholarship recipients will be awarded books, notebooks, accommodation, nutrition, and uniforms during three years of high school and four years of university. 46 girls in the first group of “A Brighter Path” graduated from university and have jobs or are starting their families. These successful results build a solid foundation for A Brighter Path to continue the second group.

Our Brighter Path Scholars were selected to participate in the second phase of the program (2017-2024) from 23 ethnic minorities in 36 provinces across the country. The total value of scholarships for each girl over 7 years is more than VND 220 million. In the academic year of 2018-2019, there are a total of 47/50 students who achieved Excellent and Good grades. The most outstanding girls include To Thi Nhu Y – a Khmer ethnic group – A student of Tran Van Bay High School – Soc Trang achieved an Excellent grade with a GPA of 9.0, second prize in the Provincial Students’ Biology Competition; Nguyen Thi Mui, Tay ethnic group, students of Thai Nguyen High School for Ethnic Minority Education and Training who achieved Excellent grades and the second prize of the provincial Science and Technology Competition; B’Nuoch Thi Diem of Co Tu ethnic who is attending ethnic boarding school in Quang Nam Province won the Silver Medal in English at the Provincial Olympic Contest. All 50 girls have made significant progress in all areas as well as their confidence.

The girls receiving Certificate and scholarships for the new school year

The girls receiving Certificate and scholarships for the new school year

“The impact from A Brighter Path is tremendous”, said Mme. Truong My Hoa, “After graduation, the students from Phase I have become young professionals who are devoting their talents to building a better life for their families and communities. They are working hard to help improve their hometown and many of them have joined the Women’s Union to bring modern knowledge to ethnic women. Women’s empowerment and gender equality are important in Vietnam and A Brighter Path alumni are making positive and sustainable impacts. We are very happy with their contributions after Phase I. They give us the confidence that Phase II can achieve even greater goals.”

The girls receiving Certificate and scholarships for the new school year

“VCF’s mission is to empower Vietnamese children, including ethnic minority girls in the program, A Brighter Path, to overcome difficult circumstances, enjoy better education and have a healthier, better life.”, said Mr. Don Lam, VinaCapital CEO, and VCF Board Chairman. “I believe that investing in education for these girls is one of the best investments we can make to contribute to Vietnam’s growth. When these girls graduate, have a job, and build their career, they will be the forerunner of economic development in their villages.”

Contributing to the success of the project is the support from central and local governments. The second phase of A Brighter Path is funded by VinaCapital, REE Electrical Mechanical Joint Stock Company, Repsol Group, SANDALS Joint Stock Company, LightPath Leadership, G-III Apparel Group, and FITFLOP LIMITED representative office in Ho Chi Minh City.