For nearly 16 years, the Starting from the Heart Foundation—a member of Kim Oanh Group, a trusted brand with over 17 years of development—has stood as a beacon of hope for thousands of disadvantaged individuals across Vietnam. With more than VND400 billion dedicated to social welfare, the foundation has not only provided material support but also restored faith and dignity to countless lives marked by hardship and loss.
A light of hope amid the darkest moments
Few pains in life compare to losing a loved one — and the loss feels even more unbearable when it strikes a child still discovering the world. For 12-year-old Khoa, tragedy came suddenly: his father, a painter, fell from a scaffold and suffered fatal brain injuries. His mother had left when he was just two, and with his father’s passing, Khoa was left completely alone.
Yet his father’s final act—donating his organs to save seven others—turned despair into legacy. Inspired by that selflessness, Khoa now dreams of becoming a doctor: “I want to save lives, like my dad did,” he says softly.
Khoa is among the first recipients of the “Self-Reliance Scholarship”, initiated by the Starting from the Heart Foundation. It is the first program in Vietnam designed exclusively for the children of organ donors, honoring their parents’ noble gift of life. Each child receives VND50 million per year in support, including health care, personal development, and a small monthly savings deposit to prepare for the future. The foundation plans to expand the program annually, ensuring at least 95% of recipients continue or complete their education.
Programs that embody humanity
Beyond scholarships, the Starting from the Heart Foundation has launched three major humanitarian initiatives: Together as Parents, Waves of Healing, and Wings to Rise—each addressing a different form of vulnerability in society.
Together as Parents focuses on children who have lost their families or live in extremely difficult circumstances. The project provides both emotional and financial support to ensure children are cared for within safe family environments. The foundation currently supports 157 caregivers and 233 orphaned children, offering them opportunities for holistic development. Activities under the initiative encourage social connection, build confidence, and nurture essential life skills.
Meanwhile, Waves of Healing extends compassion to children battling serious illnesses. Partnering with the Vietnam Children’s Protection Fund, the foundation has supported over 70 children receiving treatment at major hospitals. The total support has exceeded VND3 billion, helping children with congenital heart disease, cancer, and other life-threatening conditions.
In May 2025, the foundation collaborated with Cho Ray Hospital to offer free cardiovascular screening for 231 children and breast cancer screening for 215 women over 40. Nine children and three women at high risk received timely medical intervention.
The third initiative, Wings to Rise, focuses on juvenile rehabilitation. Partnering with Reformatory School No. 4, it helps young people who have violated the law rediscover self-worth through meditation, counseling, and skills workshops. Over 100 adolescents have benefited, learning to rebuild their lives with confidence and empathy.
Extending compassion in times of crisis
Whenever disaster strikes, Kim Oanh Group and the Starting from the Heart Foundation are among the first to respond.
Most recently, following Storm Bualoi, the foundation delivered VND8.5 billion in relief—including cash, supplies, and housing repairs—to affected communities across Quang Tri, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, and Tuyen Quang. Nearly 800 households, 10 schools, and health centers were rebuilt, helping families regain stability after the storm.
Beyond emergency relief, Kim Oanh Group has continuously invested in long-term social programs under its motto: “Live beautifully, live kindly — for yourself and for others.” To date, the group has conducted over 1,000 social welfare programs nationwide, worth more than VND300 billion, including community infrastructure, housing for low-income families, and tributes to war veterans and heroic mothers.
Among the most notable efforts was the Housing for the Poor program, which built 469 new homes in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Hue, ensuring hundreds of families could settle safely and live with dignity. The foundation also partnered with Thanh Nien Newspaper to build a rural bridge in Ca Mau, directly benefiting over 15,000 residents and improving local transportation networks.
A legacy of empathy and resilience
Over 16 years, through 1,197 programs across 34 provinces, the Starting from the Heart Foundation has reached more than 261,000 beneficiaries. Its journey reflects more than charity—it represents a redefinition of philanthropy as a sustainable model of human development, where kindness becomes a driving force for societal progress.
In a world often shadowed by inequality, Kim Oanh Group’s unwavering commitment proves that giving is not only an act of generosity, but a source of renewal — for individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole.
