Scholarships to disadvantaged students as new school year starts

Hanoi (VNA) – The National Fund for Vietnamese Children presented 50 bicycles, each worth over 1.7 million VND (75 USD), and 50 school bags to needy children in the central province of Quang Ngai at a ceremony on August 31 ahead of the new school year.

This is part of a charity programme jointly funded by fund and the Quang Nam province Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Bao Viet Life Insurance Company.

In 2017, the programme will present 1,700 bicycles and 1,700 school bags for students nationwide, worth over 3.6 billion VND (158,000 USD).

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Social Affairs Dang Thuan Phong said at the ceremony that more than 200,000 children across the country drop out of school each year due to the long distance from their houses to school. The donation of bicycles to needy children is hoped to help them continue to go to school.

In a similar move, 300 gifts, including 150 scholarships, each worth one million VND, and 150 bicycles, each worth 1.7 million VND were presented to outstanding students from disadvantaged backgrounds in seven districts and cities in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu.

According to Tran Hong Chien, Director of the Bac Lieu province Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, so far, over 3,500 needy students in the province have received assistance, to help them overcome difficulties in their lives.

The same day, the Quang Tri Study Encouragement Association and Hue Charity's Education Centre presented 100 scholarships, each worth one million VND (44 USD) for primary pupils, and 1.1 million (48 USD) for higher-level students in Quang Tri.-VNA