SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

 
 
Nguyen Van Ut is caring for the buffalo
  
While working on surveys in Tan Bien, Tay Ninh Province in November 2008, I met Nguyen Van Ut, a young boy caring for a buffalo, along with his teacher. His teacher told me that Ut had dropped out of school that week because he was too busy taking care of the buffalo and had no time to study. According to Ut and his teacher, Ut's father had left him when he was still very young. His mother worked as hard as she could, but could not manage to make enough to support them both. At last, in her desperation, she left him alone in a tattered cottage, a cottage that collapsed in the last typhoon. Now Ut is living with his uncle and supporting himself by taking care of his buffalo. When I asked him what he wanted to become when he grew up, Ut was silent for a moment. Finally, he replied in a voice full of emotion, “I am too poor and I don't dare to dream about the future”. I was almost moved to tears upon hearing his reply. When asked whether he would continue his studies if he received a scholarship, his eyes brightened with happiness and he said in a loud voice: ”Yes, I like to study very much and would like to return to my school. If I am able to finish my studies I would like to become a teacher.” At the age of twelve, Ut is still studying at grade level 1 and it will take a lot of hard work for Ut to achieve his goals, but with the help of SCC's Scholarship Programme, we can at least give him back his opportunity to dream.

The story above is just one in more than three thousand cases that we have encountered and helped. It has been almost 16 years since the first 10 kilos of rice was given out.

With US$100/year you can help us to

  • Enable them to go to school
  • Help them receive the education they need
  • Give them a fair start in life

Your sponsored child will receive

  • 10 kg of rice every month
  • A new school uniform each year
  • Books and pens at the start of the school year
  • Extra support in time of need or crisis - for example a bicycle

You will receive

  • Details and a photograph of your child
  • Annual scholarship report
  • Saigon Children's Charity quarterly newsletter
  • The satisfaction of directly helping a child in need

Who is your sponsored child

The poorest children are introduced to SCC through our Vietnamese partners (teachers, charity schools, orphanages and local government authorities such as Education Departments and the Women's Union). We then visit the family to assess their poverty using a specially designed survey form to choose speedily and efficiently, impartially and objectively, the most disadvantaged children. The children do not need to be clever to be chosen nor do they have to pass any test - they just need to be eager to learn.

Sponsor a child NOW