The “Care to Rise” program brings the joy of the Mid-Autumn Festival to underprivileged children

In the vibrant atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union and Binh Tan District Youth Union collaborated with the VinaCapital Foundation (VCF)’s Care to Rise program and Vietnam Children’s Fund Social Enterprise to organize the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration for over 500 disadvantaged children from Binh Tan District, Nha Be District, Binh Chanh District, District 6, and District 8. These children come from families facing hardships, including the children of workers, many of whom have tragically lost their loved ones due to the pandemic.

The event welcomed many distinguished guests: Mr. Le Nguyen Hong Quang – Standing Member, Head of the Organizing Committee of Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City; Ms. Tran Thu Ha – Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, President of the Vietnamese Student Association in Ho Chi Minh City; Ms. Pham Thi Thao Linh – Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Children’s Committee, Standing Vice Chairwoman of HCMC Young Pioneer Council; Huynh Thi Quynh Hoa – Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Youth Cultural House; Mr. Nguyen Viet Que Son – Standing Deputy Secretary of Binh Tan District Party Committee; Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Dung – Member of the Party Committee, Vice Chairwoman of Binh Tan District People’s Committee; Mr. Vu Chi Kien – Member of the Party Committee – Vice Chairman of the Binh Tan District People’s Committee; Mr. Nguyen Le Trung Hieu – Secretary of Binh Tan District Youth Union. Furthermore, the event received enthusiastic participation from the leadership of businesses that generously sponsored this occasion.

As part of the “Care to Rise” program, this event seeks to support the emotional well-being of underprivileged children, particularly those affected by the pandemic, while nurturing cherished childhood memories. Through the event the children engaged in exciting activities, such as painting lanterns, interacting with folk characters, enjoying in lion dances and music performances, and partaking in lantern parades. The presence of a dedicated team of volunteer artists from Ho Chi Minh City and Miss Universe Ngoc Chau added to the festivities, dancing and singing alongside the children, creating indelible and unforgettable moments.

With support from the community, the program has provided ten bicycles, 500 scholarships valued at 500,000 VND each, and a variety of gifts such as mooncakes, nutritious cereals, learning materials, and soap to the children. These contributions stem from the valuable support of numerous businesses operating within the city, including 365BEGIN, FrieslandCampina Vietnam, Givral, HanDong, Firegroup, BIDV, Eximbank, Lifebuoy, MoMo Travel, Nu Skin, Ocany, Pebsteel Vietnam, Three O’Clock, Le Vien Farm, WallStreet English, Sherpani, Kids&Us, Mia Luxury Saigon, VinaCapital, and Ly Gia Vien. With these gifts, the children’s daily lives and education and serve as a source of inspiration, conveying love and care for their future.

Mr. Rad Kivette, the CEO of VinaCapital Foundation, shares: “I believe that protecting and supporting children today is extremely important for their future contributions to Vietnam. Even though COVID-19 has passed, many children who lost their loved ones still require long-term support in healthcare and educational conditions to have a fulfilling and healthy life. We hope to continue receiving the companionship of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City, and various compassionate donors to accompany and care for these children through the Care to Rise program for many more years until they reach adulthood. I would also like to express my gratitude to all the sponsors and Binh Tan District for their enthusiastic support in making this wonderful Mid-Autumn Festival celebration possible for all the children.”

The Care to Rise program, implemented by VCF and the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union since November 2021, is dedicated to uplifting over 2,300 orphaned children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Ho Chi Minh City until they become adults. Through comprehensive care, ranging from short-term to long-term measures, this program ensures these children’s well-being and future success. Collaborating closely with district authorities, hospitals, and healthcare facilities, the program provides physical and psychological health check-ups for children and other disadvantaged youth. In case of any medical issues, the Care to Rise program offers financial support for their treatment. Additionally, the program organizes annual festive activities for the children, including Mid-Autumn celebrations and Lunar New Year festivities, benefiting both the program’s children and underprivileged children in Ho Chi Minh City as a whole.