In recent days in Tan An Commune of Tuyen Quang Province’s Chiem Hoa District, residents have been enjoying convenient transportation as the makeshift bridge only passable by foot that has existed for decades has been replaced by a sturdy concrete bridge. This joy of the villagers was made possible owing to the Kind Heart Foundation, which at the end of 2023 collaborated with the Tuyen Quang Red Cross to build the bridge to support residents in the poverty-stricken area.
The Kind Heart Foundation was established by the local conglomerate Vingroup 18 years ago, with an aim to support disadvantaged people across the country, especially in remote areas. Since its inception in 2006, the foundation has expended trillions of Vietnamese dong on social programs, from poverty reduction and community development to education and healthcare support among others. The foundation was named Kind Heart, with the intention of doing charity with all its heart and compassion, according to a Vingroup representative.
Bridges and clean water facilities for remote areas
The bridge in Tan An Commune was built to rural transportation standards stretching over 240 meters, with a total investment of over VND4.6 billion. The Kind Heart Foundation contributed VND4 billion, while the remaining funds came from the district budget and other sources.
Also, at the end of 2023, the Kind Heart Foundation inaugurated clean water facilities and irrigation infrastructure, including the drainage system in Xuan Lap Commune in Lam Binh District of Tuyen Quang, with a total cost of over VND2 billion. The Kind Heart Foundation contributed VND1 billion to this project.
The foundation also sponsored other projects in Na Hang and Lam Binh districts, including a water supply system in Hong Thai Commune, and an irrigation system in each of Thanh Tuong Commune and Da Vi Commune with a total cost of over VND10.8 billion. The foundation contributed VND6 billion to these projects.
Healthcare support for remote areas
Recently, the Kind Heart Foundation has sponsored efforts to address the shortage of medical personnel in remote areas. Specifically, at the end of 2023, at the Hanoi University of Medicine and the Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the foundation sponsored a Master’s program for specialist doctors organized by the Ministry of Health. Accordingly, nearly 60 doctors from Bac Giang, Lang Son, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh will be trained as first-level specialists in various fields through a “mentorship” program for 24 months.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong said, “The pilot project of young doctors volunteering in difficult areas is a breakthrough for the healthcare sector in ensuring adequate manpower to meet the healthcare needs of the local people in difficult areas. It creates opportunities for the poor people to access better quality healthcare services, and helps to limit unnecessary referrals, thereby reducing the burden on higher-level hospitals.”
Implemented since 2021, the Kind Heart Foundation has sponsored eight Master’s programs for specialist doctors, consisting of nearly 300 young doctors from over 100 poverty-stricken districts nationwide. In addition to providing financial support for the training of young doctors, the foundation also considers sponsoring essential machinery, equipment, and supplies for needy districts.
Capital for cooperatives
Supporting capital for cooperatives is a new program recently launched by the foundation. At the end of 2023, the foundation, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Promotion Center and the Central Coordination Office for New Rural Development, handed over support equipment and agricultural materials to implement the Cooperative Linkage Project to develop economic sustainability and reduce poverty for cooperatives in provinces such as Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Quang Binh, and Ha Tinh.
Many cooperatives in these provinces were given interest-free loans. The support provided by the foundation through this program not only adds resources for cooperative development but also enables them to create jobs to help poor families in the locality escape poverty sustainably.
Each cooperative selected by the Kind Heart Foundation receives support worth VND1 billion in the form of interest-free loans for 10 years to purchase breeding cattle like buffaloes, cows, and goats and vehicles to serve production.
Mr. Ly Minh Tuan, director of the Kind Heart Foundation, said, “In 2022, the project of cooperative linkage with farmers started operating in two provinces, Thai Nguyen and Son La. Since 2023, the Kind Heart Foundation has decided to expand the model to many provinces across the country, with the desire to contribute more to the national poverty alleviation effort.”
Until now, the Kind Heart Foundation has completed the disbursement of funds for 20 cooperatives. Through the support program, the foundation aims to help solve the current problem of capital shortage for investment in production by cooperatives, assisting them and the Government in effectively implementing poverty reduction and hunger eradication efforts.
And many other programs
In addition to the above programs, for the past 18 years, the Kind Heart Foundation has also executed the Vingroup Scholarship program to support poor, hard-working students to overcome difficulties in life to pursue schooling.
Since its launch in 2012, the program has awarded over 18,000 scholarships to poor, talented students nationwide. With support ranging from VND500,000 to VND1 million per month, the foundation has helped tens of thousands of students across the country ride out difficult circumstances to focus on studying. Many of them have now graduated from universities and colleges and found stable jobs, thereby helping their families escape poverty and build a better future.
Furthermore, for over a decade, the Kind Heart Foundation has donated hundreds of billions of Vietnam dong in relief and assistance to rebuild infrastructure after natural disasters in affected areas. Not only providing material support, but the foundation also directly visits and gives gifts to affected households to alleviate losses and sufferings.
In addition, since its establishment, the Kind Heart Foundation has implemented a gift-giving program for the poor on holidays. Every Tet holiday season, the foundation spends nearly VND100 billion donating 200,000 gifts to the poor in 62 provinces and cities nationwide. Moreover, from 2006 to the present, with a budget of over VND1,000 billion, the foundation has built and donated nearly 24,000 houses in provinces and cities nationwide to policy beneficiaries, veterans, and people with difficult backgrounds.
