Children’s rights organization unveils US$45,000 in education grants

With the country’s economy requiring a more skilled workforce, the program is designed to increase dramatically the number of youth who complete education pathways aligned with good-paying, high-demand jobs, said Ninh Thi Hong, vice president of the Association.

Currently, employers are struggling to fill middle-skill jobs in computer technology, nursing, advanced manufacturing and other fields that require technical education and training.

Too few young people are receiving the education or training in high school and beyond that would put them on a track to qualify for these skills-based positions and we believe the opportunity for these jobs should be within every child’s reach.

The ‘Light Up Dreams’ program, said Mr Hong, will present some 1,000 scholarships and 5,000 gifts to children of soldiers who either died or were wounded in battle together with Agent Orange victims and victims of a natural disaster.

Currently 450 scholarships have been designated for youth in the provinces of Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Tien Giang, Hau Giang, Bac Lieu and Tra Vinh, 250 for the province of Ben Tre and the remainder will go to other deserving youth across the country.

Founded in 2008, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Children's Rights is a social organization connecting like-minded entities, individuals and volunteers to work for the advancement of children’s rights throughout Vietnam.