Saigon Children’s Charity CIO
Think Human Fund
Mission & History
Since our establishment in 1992, we have been committed to breaking down barriers that prevent children from accessing education—whether due to poverty, geography, lack of knowledge, or disability.
Saigon Children aims to remove educational barriers through four key programmes: the Child Development Scholarship Programme, School Building Programme, Getting Ready for Work Programme, and Special Needs Education Programme, creating a comprehensive network of support for children across Vietnam. By investing in education, we empower children and their families to break free from the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
To date, we have awarded over 47,000 scholarships, provided vocational training to more than 26,000 youth, constructed 624 classrooms, and supported approximately 10,000 children with disabilities, caregivers and teachers.
Country Information
Vietnam, a lower middle-income country with a poverty rate of just under 4% in 2023, has made strides in expanding access to education. This project will be based in Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest metropolitan area with approximately 9 million residents. In recent years, local authorities have introduced policies to support disadvantaged students, yet financial barriers remain a significant challenge.
Despite improvements in university rankings, Vietnam continues to have one of the lowest university admission rates in Southeast Asia. Students from low-income backgrounds are underrepresented in higher education, while those from wealthier families make up a disproportionate share of enrollments. At the same time, universities are increasingly reliant on tuition fees, shifting the financial burden onto students and their families. With government contributions declining, rising education costs risk widening the gap between privileged and disadvantaged students. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring that higher education remains accessible to all.
The Need
Our beneficiaries are young people living in poverty who struggle to afford higher education and opt to attend vocational colleges. However, significant challenges persist, particularly for final-year students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who face a high risk of graduating late. This issue arises from several factors, including missing compulsory graduation requirements, such as English and computer skill certifications, and the inability to pass classes or complete all required credits on time.
Many of these students, due to financial difficulties, are forced to take on multiple part-time jobs to support themselves and their families. This lack of financial means often leads them to enroll in fewer courses per semester, compelling them to work more hours while neglecting their studies. As a result, they are unable to graduate on time, which hinders their ability to secure full-time employment and leaves them trapped in low-paying part-time jobs.
The Project We Fund
Support for final-year students includes financial assistance covering tuition costs, ensuring they can prioritize their studies without financial burdens. Scholarships for these students offer more substantial aid due to the higher costs of advanced training. Additionally, urgent assistance for basic needs, free English classes with TOEIC certification, life skills workshops, and psycho-social counseling will be provided.
Students will also receive support in job searching through Saigon Children’s extensive network of employers looking for technically skilled individuals, along with ongoing monitoring to ensure job placements meet their needs for a livable wage and standard benefits.
The Result
We track the impact of our program through tangible results achieved by our students. This includes the number of students who receive both financial and non-financial support, as well as the number of students who successfully complete their vocational training courses.
Additionally, we monitor the outcomes for these students in the workforce, specifically looking at the number who obtain stable and suitable jobs, with a focus on securing income starting from $174 per month following their completion of vocational training. These metrics provide a clear picture of the program’s effectiveness in enhancing students’ educational and employment prospects.
