Dream Meeting Opens “A Brighter Path” for 50 Ethnic Minority Girls

VinaCapital Foundation (VCF) and the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund co-organize an annual Dream Meeting for 50 ethnic minority girl students in the 2nd phase of the Brighter Path program (2017 – 2024). From 18 to 20 July 2018, the female scholars will visit and discover the culture and history of Hoi An, and participate in educational workshops and community services.

50 ethnic minority girls visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village in Quang Nam

The program has the honor to welcome Madame 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, Ms. Thai Van Linh, Head of Strategy and Operations of VinaCapital, Miss Universe Vietnam H’Hen Nie, and distinguished guests.

Brighter Path is a 7-year education initiative for ethnic minority girl students who are selected based on excellent academic records and passion for social development. The goal of the program is to empower exemplary girls in ethnic minority tribes to overcome poverty and depraved customs, thereby, to support them in becoming future leaders and motivating other disadvantaged girls to dream, build the career, and live their own life confidently. The first phase of the program (2010 – 2016) cultivated a successful result with 98% have graduated from university and college and 87% have a job. Scholarship recipients will be awarded tuition fees, books, notebooks, accommodation, food, and uniforms during three years of high school and four years of tertiary education. Annually, these girls will attend the summer empowerment “Dream Meeting” to meet each other, gain essential life skills, receive consultation on career orientation, and nurture their dreams through meeting with prominent women leaders from government and corporations in Vietnam.

The second phase of the program selects outstanding girl students from 23 ethnic minorities in 36 provinces nationwide. Each girl is awarded more than 220 million VND per person over 7 years. Now, after the first high school year, almost all of the student achieved excellent academic records which 54% have the grade point average over 8.0.

To help those students achieve their academic and self-development goals, Dream Meeting 2018 focuses on practical topics for women in the digital age such as (1) internet safety and ways to protect yourself on social networks, (2) knowledge of sexual abuse and self-protection skills, and (3) the necessity and practical methods to learn a foreign language.

Internet safety and self protection methods on social networks workshop

Learning about knowledge of sexual abuse and self-protection skills

Learning about knowledge of sexual abuse and self-protection skills

Miss Universe Vietnam H’Hen Nie attends a workshop and inspires girl students by her story of tackling obstacles to change the life, and then participates in raising awareness about environmental protection and visiting impoverished children in The Village of Hope of Da Nang.

Miss Universe Vietnam, H’Hen Niê, shares her success story of overcoming obstacles in her life with the students

50 ethnic minority girls get ready for the cycling along the Han River

Miss Universe Vietnam, H’Hen Niê, and 50 ethnic minority girls get ready for the cycling along the Han River

The girls participate in raising awareness about environmental protection and using recycle bags in Han Market

The girls participate in raising awareness about environmental protection and using recycle bags in Han Market

The girls come to visit impoverished children at Hope Village

The girls come to visit and give presents to impoverished children at Hope Village

The girls come to visit and give presents to impoverished children at Hope Village

The girls come to visit and give presents to impoverished children at Hope Village

On another session, Mrs. Thai Van Linh, Head of Strategy and Operation of VinaCapital empowers girls about improving self-confidence and striving for a better future.

“VinaCapital Foundation is committed to assist the the vulnerable, underserved and disadvantaged populations of Vietnam”, said Mr. Kivette, VinaCapital Foundation CEO. “The Brighter Path program and the Dream Meeting we are holding in Da Nang today is an example of our commitment to educate, empower and create leaders in the ethnic minority community. Educating and empowering our girls is the best investment one can make in Vietnam’s future.”
A Brighter Path succeeds thanks to encouragement from governmental agencies in all levels and generous sponsors, and Phase 2 is made possible with supports from VinaCapital, REE Corporation, Repsol and Nam A Bank. Specifically, the funds from Nam A Bank come from their customers’ support during the campaign Set path to school – Light up the Future which was launched in the last June.