HCM CITY — The HCM Communist Youth Union’s Vừ A Dính Scholarship Fund said it has attracted donations of nearly VNĐ29 billions (US$1.3 million) from 37 local and foreign organisations and individuals this year.

Since its inception in 1999 the fund has provided scholarships to 80,000 disadvantaged students in mountainous regions and islands, Trương Mỹ Hoa, former vice president of Việt Nam and the chairwoman of the fund, told a press conference in HCM City yesterday.

She thanked the donors and praised the efforts of the students who have benefited.

“The projects [carried out by the fund] reflect great humanitarian and social values and responsibility towards the community.”

The projects include Ươm mầm tương lai (Nurturing The Future) in collaboration with private schools in HCM City, which has helped disadvantaged ethnic students continue studying.

There have also been Mở đường đến tương lai (Opening Paths to The Future) to award scholarships to ethnic minority girls to enable them to complete high school and tertiary courses, and Chắp cánh ước mơ (Giving Wings to Your Dreams) to provide monthly support to disadvantaged until they finish their high school and tertiary education.

Thắp sáng tương lai (Brighten The Future) has funded construction of schools, bridges, roads, and clean water supply works in deprived localities inhabited by ethnic minorities.

In 2014 the fund launched the Club for Beloved Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa to support fishermen and soldiers protecting the country’s sovereignty in the East Sea by donating houses to them and offering scholarships and healthcare support for their children.

On June 16 a programme called Thắp sáng những ước mơ (Brighten Your Dreams) will be organised in HCM City to present Vừ A Dính Awards to nine outstanding collectives and 13 ethnic minority individuals for making important contributions to the community. — VNS