“What do you dream of becoming when you grow up?”
“I dream of working for a foreign company and becoming a director like Mr. Samuel.”
This was a short but memorable conversation with T., a student in our Child Development Scholarship Programme, currently studying at Hưng Điền Secondary School, Hậu Giang Province. “Mr. Samuel,” as mentioned by T., is the General Director of Zwilling J.A Henckels Vietnam, one of the 21 members of the company’s team who visited T.’s home along with saigonchildren to meet several scholarship recipients in Hậu Giang.
Reaching T.’s house was an adventure in itself. We had to take a motorboat because there’s no road leading directly to his home. Every day, T.’s parents take him 1 km by boat to the main road, from where he cycles another 3 km to school. T.’s family has been through tough times. His father lost his ability to work after a traffic accident two years ago, making it difficult to support T.’s education. His parents shared that without the scholarship, T. might not have been able to stay in school.
In 2019, Zwilling J.A Henckels Vietnam partnered with saigonchildren to launch a three-year project, “A Good Will Toward Education” (2019 – 2021), to support students like T. Seeing its impact, the company extended its sponsorship for another three years (2022–2024) with a total investment of US$103,648.
The project is divided into three phases, each bringing unique benefits to students: setting up computer rooms for IT classes, conducting internet safety training sessions, and establishing reading corners in schools. These initiatives have directly helped around 500 students so far. Additionally, the project provides annual scholarships and bicycles to students in need, ensuring they can continue their education despite the distance.
On 27 November, Zwilling J.A Henckels Vietnam visited Tân Phước Hưng 3 Primary School to present scholarships and bicycles while reflecting on the past three years. Through this project, 416 scholarship packages and 35 bicycles have been delivered to students across the region. The remaining component – setting up reading corners – is expected to be completed soon, enhancing teaching and learning conditions and fostering a love for knowledge among over 500 students aged 6–11 in the upcoming academic years.
Over six years and two education-focused projects, Zwilling J.A Henckels Vietnam and saigonchildren’s collaboration has not only improved infrastructure but also created equal educational opportunities for many children in Hậu Giang Province. The partnership reaffirms a long-term commitment to building a brighter future for education.
