HCMC – Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company (PNJ), in collaboration with the Saigon Times Foundation (STF) under the Saigon Times Group, has just granted scholarships worth VND190 million to disadvantaged teachers, children impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and poor students with an outstanding academic performance.
The Saigon Times Foundation-PNJ scholarships were given to beneficiaries under the “Se chia cung thay co” (Sharing with teachers) and “Chap canh uoc mo” (Fulfilling dreams) programs co-held by STF and PNJ.
Helping disadvantaged children continue their studies
Le Phan Bao Duy, a local student in the HCMC outlying district of Nha Be, had to live with his grandmother after being abandoned by his mother. But then the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and he lost his grandmother to the virus. The post-pandemic life is tough for the 16-year-old. Duy now lives alone in a rented house, facing multiple difficulties. During this tough time, his school helps him whenever needed.
Tragedy also struck the family of Tran Khoa Dang Truong when his parents died of Covid-19, leaving behind Dang and his older sister at an early age. Given the situation, Dang asked himself many times whether he should continue to attend school as his 18-year-old sister had to quit to earn money as a factory worker. The orphaned siblings are taking care of each other in HCMC’s Binh Tan District.
These cases are just two among many who are suffering due to Covid-19.
To help ease their burdens, the “Saigon Times Foundation-PNJ” scholarship program teamed up with the Youth Science and Technology Development Center, under the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in HCMC, to launch the fulfilling dreams program on December 25, 2022, to encourage disadvantaged children to continue their studies.
The program donated VND50 million to support 63 children who lost their loved ones to the pandemic and VND40 million to care for 10 poor students with outstanding academic performance at the HCMC University of Technology and Education.
Doan Kim Thanh, director of the Youth Science and Technology Development Center, said, “The center has closely followed the learning progress of these students and organized various activities to bring joy to them, such as a scientific innovation program, an event to celebrate the Lunar New Year holiday and a summer camp. As a result, they have not only performed excellently academically but also achieved good results in sports and musical events.”
In 2022, the program received donations worth over VND350 million. Thanks to it, the organizer could cover the tuition fees, health insurance and uniform costs and grant scholarships to them. Under the program, 32 computers were given to the students to assist them with their learning, Thanh added.
Developing together
The “Saigon Times Foundation-PNJ” scholarship program is aimed at supporting the development of human resources, education and training, contributing to the country’s growth. The program has awarded scholarships to disadvantaged students with good academic performance in many parts of the country.
In November this year, it coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in HCMC to roll out the “Sharing with Teachers” program, presenting 50 gift sets worth VND100 million to 50 young, disadvantaged teachers with outstanding performance at work.
As such, the program has provided support of VND190 million for education and training activities in the country in 2022.
Since 2012, the “Saigon Times Foundation-PNJ” scholarship program has donated nearly VND1.56 billion worth of scholarships to over 500 underprivileged students nationwide.
The program has demonstrated PNJ’s social mission as well as one of the five core values in operations, which is “caring to develop together”.
