Lighting up the belief to conquer dreams for disadvantaged students

NDO - Born into a particularly poor family in Dien Bien province, Ho Thi Giang, born in 2004, has made constant efforts to overcome adversity and achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. But the path was not easy, as the burden of university tuition fees made her worry about the future. Fortunately, that dream was ignited thanks to support from the Lighting Up Faith Scholarship Fund, opening the door to university for Giang to continue to pursue her dream.

NDO - Born into a particularly poor family in Dien Bien province, Ho Thi Giang, born in 2004, has made constant efforts to overcome adversity and achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. But the path was not easy, as the burden of university tuition fees made her worry about the future. Fortunately, that dream was ignited thanks to support from the Lighting Up Faith Scholarship Fund, opening the door to university for Giang to continue to pursue her dream.

Giang grew up in a large family with four siblings of school age. His father passed away five years ago. His mother was the main breadwinner but was often sick and her ability to work had decreased. The family was poor. His siblings and relatives were also poor and could not support him. The thatched house where Giang and her children lived often leaked and had no valuable assets.

In high school, Giang had to go to school far from home, the school was 12km away, the road was very difficult. But with all his desire and effort, he was admitted to the medical school at Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

However, when entering university, Giang began to worry about the burden of tuition fees. Financial concerns made him wonder whether his family could continue to support him throughout his time studying at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

During the most difficult time, the Light Up Your Faith Scholarship Fund promptly “supported” him with a full scholarship. Thanks to that, Giang not only worried less about the cost of studying but also felt great encouragement, adding more motivation for him to firmly step on the path of education, towards the dream of wearing a white coat, becoming a doctor to help people in difficult circumstances like himself.

Giang’s story is just one of many cases of students in difficult circumstances supported by the Lighting up Faith Scholarship Fund. Over the past 17 years, the fund has accompanied thousands of poor but studious students like Giang, helping them overcome difficulties to continue pursuing their education, asserting themselves and contributing to society.

Long-term full scholarship model: Fueling dreams

The Light Up Faith Scholarship Fund was established on May 21, 2007, with the mission of supporting poor but studious students from difficult circumstances, helping them overcome financial barriers to continue their education.

Fund representative, Ms. Le Thi Cam Linh said that during the past 17 years, the Light Up Faith Fund has awarded nearly 1,400 full scholarships to students from all regions across the country.

Each year, the fund awards 300-400 scholarships, each worth 25 million VND/year, awarded over 4-6 years of study, helping students reduce the burden of tuition and living expenses, thereby focusing on their studies.

Interview for re-granting of scholarships for semester 2, school year 2023-2024.

In addition to financial support, the Light Up Faith Fund also organizes exchange activities, soft skills training for students, creating opportunities for students to connect with the community and successful alumni. These activities not only help students learn from experience but also inspire and empower them on their career path.

One of the special features of the fund is the awarding of long-term full scholarships to students. With scholarships of up to 25 million VND/year, students receive financial support throughout their university studies. This support system helps reduce the financial burden on students’ families, so that they can focus entirely on studying and developing themselves.

In addition, the highlight that makes the Light Up Faith Fund different from some other scholarship funds is that students are in a Light Up Faith community across the country in general and divided into 5 regional communities including: Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, creating a close-knit community, interacting, sharing experiences and supporting each other during the learning process.

Interaction, connection, experience sharing and mutual support activities are regularly organized by the fund.

This connection not only helps students feel less isolated in their learning journey but also promotes the development of soft skills, such as teamwork, communication and leadership. Furthermore, the fund's alumni regularly connect, becoming a source of motivation for the next generation, creating a positive value chain according to the motto "connecting - sharing and developing".

Continuing the journey of lighting up faith

The success of the Lighting Up Faith Scholarship Fund cannot be achieved without the contributions of charitable organizations, businesses and individuals. Every year, the fund organizes fundraising events and sponsorship activities to maintain and expand the scale of the project. The fund operates under the auspices of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and the support of many other domestic and foreign organizations.

With a total funding of more than 93 billion VND over the past 17 years, the fund has awarded more than 53 billion VND to nearly 1,400 scholarships, helping thousands of students in difficult circumstances, creating opportunities for them to realize their dreams of studying and contributing to society.

Nearly 1,100 students have graduated from university, many of whom have secured stable jobs and begun successful careers. Some alumni are now working at companies in and outside the oil and gas industry, or continuing their studies at prestigious training institutions abroad.

Members of the Light Up Faith Fund participate in the charity activity "Light Up Winter".

In particular, the fund also creates a network of connections between students, sponsors and the community. Through exchange activities and experience sharing, students not only learn from each other but also connect with successful people, creating opportunities for cooperation and future career development.

The Light Up Your Faith Scholarship Fund not only creates learning opportunities but also helps narrow the social gap, contributing to the sustainable development of the country. The success of the fund is a source of motivation to continue the journey of helping the dreams of the next generation of students take flight.

From the achievements in the past time, according to the fund representative, Ms. Le Thi Cam Linh, the fund's main goal in the future is to continue to search and increase the number of scholarships to 500-600 each year, to have more opportunities to help students with difficult circumstances realize their dream of going to university and support them on their career path.

In addition, the fund will continue to expand its beneficiaries to high school students who are good at studying but have especially difficult circumstances and are at risk of having to drop out of school to help them realize and complete their dream of going to university, becoming dutiful children of their families and good citizens of the country.

With the goal of expanding the scale and improving the quality of support, the Lighting Up Hope Scholarship Fund hopes to continue to receive contributions from the community, organizations and businesses at home and abroad, so that more and more poor but studious students can realize their dreams.

The Human Act Prize 2024 with the theme "Building Community" continues to search for, honor and connect individuals and organizations that are committed to the community across the country.

At the Award Announcement Ceremony, held on September 23, 2024 at the Sheraton Hanoi West Hotel, Human Act Prize officially announced the new highlights of the 2024 Season:

1. Launch of the publication "Pioneering Marks - Innovation in Social Impact in Vietnam" - The first complete handbook for community activists in Vietnam.

2. Signing a memorandum of understanding with award support units:

PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) - One of the top 4 auditing firms in the world, a pioneer in supporting businesses to integrate sustainability factors into business operations.

Social Impact - The first educational platform founded by community activists in Vietnam to promote knowledge about sustainable development.

TikTok Platform - The world's leading short-form video platform, accompanies the spread of positive stories, honors individuals and organizations that are working hard for the community, thereby inspiring many people to join hands to create positive changes.

Media sponsors: 13 press agencies are ready to accompany Human Act Prize 2024 to spread the best things to the community: Vietnamnet, Vietnam Plus, Labor, Dan Tri, Tien Phong, Dai Doan Ket, Cong Thuong, Nong Nghiep, Dan Viet, Nha Bao va Cong Luan, Ha Noi Moi, Hanoi Radio and Television, Ho Chi Minh City Television, Tiktok.

Human Act Prize 2024 brings together sustainable development projects and community contribution initiatives from many domestic businesses, organizations and individuals, such as Canifa Joint Stock Company, Vietnam Airlines Corporation, Gaia Nature Conservation Center, the production team of the program As if there had been no separation, Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund and many other units...

We look forward to receiving the attention and support of the community!

Official website: https://humanactprize.org

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/HumanActPrize

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thap-niem-tin-chinh-phuc-uoc-mo-cho-sinh-vien-kho-khan-post843571.html