Spreading Love and Kindness far and wide

On the morning of May 9, Thanh Nien Newspaper and Hope Primary, Secondary, and High School (referred to as Hope School, a part of FPT Corporation) signed a memorandum of cooperation to support orphans affected by COVID-19 with their continued educational journey.

Opportunities for orphans facing challenges

The ceremony, graced by the presence of journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper; Mr. Hoang Quoc Quyen, CEO of Hope School; and Mr. Vo Hong Tri, Head of the Connection — Training Department of Hope School, also saw the attendance of three orphans and their families for the signing of the agreement.

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, on September 16, 2021, Thanh Nien Newspaper initiated the program "Lifelong Journey Companionship for Children" to sponsor children orphaned by COVID-19, aiming to alleviate their suffering and support their educational needs. The program has provided long-term sponsorship for 421 children and offered emergency support and scholarships to thousands more. Thanh Nien has evolved into a shared sanctuary for many children, capturing the thoughts, aspirations, and circumstances of their families and themselves. Established on September 16, 2021, Hope School aims to support Covid-19 orphans nationwide. Equipped with comprehensive facilities and educational resources, the school offers total tuition funding for students affected by the pandemic. Upon high school graduation, students receive ongoing support for university studies within the FPT University system and affiliated institutions. Currently, the school is actively enrolling more COVID-19 orphans through collaboration with Thanh Nien Newspaper's "Lifelong Journey Companionship for Children" program, aligning with the primary goal of cooperation between the two entities.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan and Mr. Hoang Quoc Quyen signed a memorandum of cooperation

At the signing ceremony, journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, and Mr. Hoang Quoc Quyen, CEO of Hope School, signed a memorandum of cooperation between the two entities. Accordingly, Thanh Nien Newspaper will support by sharing information about Hope School with student families and providing information for students interested in attending the school. They will also organize family and student meetings at Thanh Nien Newspaper headquarters for Hope School to share and address information. Additionally, they will communicate about the cooperation program between the two sides and the results achieved on the 'Readers' page of Thanh Nien Newspaper. Furthermore, they will invite Hope School to participate in events related to students organized or coordinated by Thanh Nien Newspaper and send staff to join Hope School to visit and verify students' families for cases wishing to register to study at the school.

Hope School will provide complete information about the school to Thanh Nien Newspaper so that they can support, advise, and share with students' families and relatives. Each semester, the school will send a report to Thanh Nien Newspaper on the living and learning situation of students enrolled in the "Lifelong Journey Companionship for Children" program. They will also be responsible for sharing and answering information that students' families are interested in at meetings organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper. Additionally, the school will lead the organization of dropping off and picking up students each time they return for the Lunar New Year and summer vacations. They will regularly update and report the number of students enrolled in the "Lifelong Journey Companionship for Children" program who wish to continue their education and work in student families to Thanh Nien Newspaper. Furthermore, the school will send teachers and students to participate in events and activities organized by Thanh Nien Newspaper related to students affected by COVID-19.

After a video clip introducing the process of implementing the "Lifelong Journey Companionship for Children" program, as well as clips showcasing the learning and living activities of 300 children studying at Hope School, journalist Nguyen Ngoc Toan said: "Back on September 16, 2021, it marked the day when Thanh Nien issued a call for readers to join hands in helping orphans. Coincidentally, on the same day, Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of FPT, announced the Hope School project - a nationwide initiative for orphans affected by COVID-19. Despite Thanh Nien Newspaper and FPT Corporation being two entities with distinct conditions and circumstances, the way they implement programs for children may differ. Still, they share a common goal: to provide love and kindness to the children. Therefore, the collaboration between these two entities today further spreads the wings of love and kindness, offering children numerous opportunities to shape their future."

He added: "It was a heartwarming experience to visit Hope School and engage with the children there, witnessing firsthand their studies, daily lives, and even their gardening activities. It was truly delightful. I'm pleased that our paths have crossed today, allowing us to join forces in caring for these children. On behalf of the Thanh Nien Newspaper team, I extend my gratitude to the leadership team of FPT Corporation for facilitating this collaboration. I also express my thanks to the Executive Board of Hope School for their dedication to implementing this program together."

The challenges of kindness

Sharing at the signing ceremony, Mr. Hoang Quoc Quyen, CEO of Hope School, said: " After Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan's insightful remarks, it's evident that there's a striking coincidence and shared commitment to caring for children in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Considering this synergy, perhaps we should christen this program "Hope: Lifelong Journey Companionship for Children ."This name, crafted collaboratively, embodies our collective dedication to supporting our children through their educational journey until university graduation—a beacon of hope fueled by the concerted efforts of the newspaper, Hope School, and the students themselves. Furthermore, it serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of kindness. The program's longevity is assured, as Hope School remains steadfast in its commitment to accompanying these children for the long haul due to the collaborative efforts of various organizations and individuals." Three children orphaned by COVID-19, along with their parents, attended and witnessed the signing ceremony. It was an opportunity for these families to gain insight into Hope School before enrolling their children in this institution.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan and Mr. Hoang Quoc Quyen (second from right) presented gifts to the children who attended and learned more about Hope School

Sharing with children and families, Mr. Vo Hong Tri, Head of Connection - Training Department of Hope School, conveyed: "The choice of Da Nang City as the location for Hope School by FPT leaders was deliberate, considering its well-equipped facilities and convenience for children's studying, boarding, and activities. Situated in the Central region, Da Nang allows easy access for children from all parts of the country. The city's natural landscape, characterized by mountains, rivers, seas, and streams, provides an ideal environment for children to experience and develop survival skills. Moreover, the prolonged stay in Da Nang nurtures honesty and sincerity in the children, fostering their ability to endure and overcome challenges."

Mr. Hoang Quoc Quyen emphasized that children enrolled at the school may visit their families twice a year during the Lunar New Year and summer breaks. Parents can also see their children at any time by notifying the teachers in advance. Furthermore, arrangements are made for children to contact their families once a week.

Ms. Le Ngoc Thuy, aged 37, residing in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, and mother of three children, L.T.T.H (12 years old), L.T.T.T (10 years old), and L.Q.D (7 years old), decided to enroll L.T.T.H in Hope School upon learning about the school. She said: "Having learned about Hope School, I feel immensely reassured. I've noticed that the school boasts excellent teachers specializing in gifted subjects and English—precisely the subjects my child is keen to explore. Unfortunately, I've been unable to enroll him due to the high fees and my limited availability to pick him up. Thus, I earnestly hope that my child, H., will be granted admission to the school, allowing him to thrive in a nurturing educational setting and receive the care and attention of dedicated teachers."Alongside L.T.T.H, other children like T.Q.D (16 years old, from District 8, Ho Chi Minh City) and T.N.T.T (15 years old, from Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City) also enrolled in the school and completed their admission procedures immediately after the signing ceremony.