Vietnamese School To Host A Music Education Project Funded by Japan

Da Nang, March 13, 2023, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, the music show themed "Vietnam and Japan light up Hope together" was held at the Hope Inter-level School. The show was under the sponsorship of the Sompo Welfare Foundation (created and funded by Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.) and consulted by Conductor Honna Tetsuji - Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO).

The "Vietnam and Japan light up Hope together" music program

On the occasion of 50 years of establishing the Vietnam - Japan diplomatic relations, the Japanese Government approved the provision of grants and donations to sponsor non-profit organizations, encouraging them to engage in social welfare activities in developing countries and regions, based on the suggestions of Japanese enterprises. In 2023, Japanese businesses selected three nations to accompany. And Hope School was the only entity in Vietnam to be chosen. Located in Da Nang, it is a boarding school founded by FPT Corporation to nurture children who have unfortunately lost their parents due to Covid-19. In sympathy with the orphans, the Sompo Welfare Foundation and VNSO decided to give them a helping hand through the "Vietnam and Japan light up Hope together" project.

Students of Hope School and Ms. Truong Thanh Thanh took a photo with Conductor Honna Tetsuji and representatives of Sompo Japan

It is a highly humane educational project which aims to use music to heal wounds and arouse happiness, bringing a precious gift to children in special circumstances. The program wishes to offer academic music to children in need to spread positivity, love, and hope, strengthening their faith in life. The project is expected to last for one year with three shows.

Mr. Taketoshi Nagaoka - Head of Hanoi Representative Office of Sompo Japan Insurance Inc., General Director of United Insurance Company (UIC), and Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JCCI) - revealed why he chose Hope School. "It was last July when I visited Hope School for the first time," he said. "I was strongly moved. When I returned to Hanoi, I wondered what I could do for the children. So I asked Honna, and he immediately understood what I was looking for - it's a project that uses music to help heal the pain of losing their loved ones."

The show spreads the message of happiness

The first show occurred on the evening of March 13, 2023, at the school's campus, advised and supported by Conductor Honna Tetsuji - VNSO and Sompo's representation in Vietnam (UIC). The musicians were all picked out by the Conductor.

Here, musicians performed famous works for the students, such as Salut D'amour (Love's Greeting) by Edward Elgar, Turkish March by Mozart, Merry Go Round from Howl's Moving Castle, or Under The Sea from The Little Mermaid... Besides, the students also staged along with the orchestra, performing famous Vietnamese children's medleys such as "I love my school" (Vietnamese: Em yêu trường em), "Bring mom lunch to work" (Vietnamese: Đưa cơm cho mẹ đi cày) to express their gratitude to the guests. It was warm and cozy all around.

The Hope students staged along with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra

"This is the moment I have been waiting for a long time since the project idea was initiated between us. Previously, I had been so impressed with FPT's volunteer activities, especially the initiative of establishing Hope School - a home for the children who unfortunately lost their loved ones due to Covid-19. And what I want to convey is not by saying the words out loud but through music from the heart and the harmony from the souls, expressed by the artist of the VNSO and the students," said Conductor Honna Tetsuji.

Students of Hope School took a photo with Conductor Honna Tetsuji and representatives of Sompo Japan

Along with the support of the Sompo Welfare Foundation for Hope School, FPT has more fellowships from domestic and foreign partners and businesses on the journey of Fostering Happiness. Sharing at the event, Ms. Truong Thanh Thanh - FPT CSR Director and Chair of the Hope Foundation - emphasized: "Tonight we have got a special present - proof of the power of love from Japanese friends. And here, we meet and communicate across cultural and linguistic boundaries with music - the language of love. It is a valuable mental health gift from the Sompo  Welfare Foundation to FPT Corporation and Hope School, which helps us stay firmly on the path of implementing a long-term but hopeful project."