support to economically disadvantaged students since its founding in 2002. By combining financial scholarships with competency-developing initiatives, the nonprofit addresses both pressing financial barriers and enduring developmental needs.
### Foundations and Purpose https://viethope.com.vn/
Established in 2002 by Vietnamese-American students at Harvard University, VietHope aimed to resolve systemic academic inequities in Vietnam. The organization’s mandate—to enable impoverished students through opportunities to schooling—stems from recognition that economic hardship remains the primary barrier to academic continuation.
### Initiatives and Effect
1. Postsecondary Scholarship Program (USP):
– Offers $300 to $400 yearly
– Recipients need to show educational excellence (minimum GPA of 3.0)
– Incremental funding system encourages academic continuation
2. Merit Development Program (Academic Advancement Program):
– Provides $150 annual bursaries
– Includes vocational training and professional counseling
Results:
– Higher education degree attainment: 91% vs. 74% national
– Technical fields enrollment: 68% vs. 42% nationwide
