A few photos from our interview trip in Phuoc Son district

 A few photos of homes, students and their families from our interview trip in the mountains of Phuoc Son this week. 

All have challenging situations, some have one parent, or no parents, an ill parent or two, and all families are without enough of an income to make ends meet, as well as keep the girls in school. 

We are in the process of discussing each girl and her situation, and how much help she will need. 

We have funding for some girls but not all. If interested in a scholarship please get in touch. They are US$300 a year, which covers all education and education related costs, that are not covered by the government, plus enough for uniforms and for monthly necessities.

                                                             Hien is supported by Hanh now

                                                                       Hien with her parents

Her parents are alcoholics, they don't care for her or support her in any way, leaving her to support herself. Now she has education support this will be a huge relief for her as she had to work hard whenever possible to earn the money needed to keep herself in school. 

Linh's small wooden home

                                                           Linh, her mother and two sisters

She hasn't had any extra tuition although it is needed at this stage in her education, and it's because she has had to work all year round when not in class. 

We've promised Linh a scholarship and this will enable her to work less and study more. 

Although mum never attended school and dad just a year, due to their poverty, they want Linh to be well educated.

CEF staff Kim Chi taking Nien's photo

Nien

                                                                  Nien, aunt and cousin

Nien has a scholarship thanks to Richard. She's an orphan and her aunt, and uncle who's had a stroke, took on the role of bringing her up and in return she helps them with housework, farming work and baby and child sitting. Although a little unrealistic, we were happy to hear she did have dreams of being a professional volley ball player, although she is very short, as it showed she dreams of a future and that she has a passion. She is realistic enough to know: "I can have a much better job if I finish high school".

ARTEA event

Our ARTEA event, auctioning off tea-oriented art work is over, but still there is artwork for sale. Do get in touch if interested as we still are raising funds for education scholarships for ethnic girls from Dong Giang, and all funds donated will be matched! Fundraising ends 30th July 2022.

Here are some photos of a most enjoyable and interesting evening at The Hill Station Hoi An.  Thank you to all who made this late afternoon - early evening event a success!

This is the fundraising site where all funds raised are matched: https://doterrahealinghands.org/.../educating-ethnic-girls

If interested in any of the unsold work mentioned here do get in touch, and there is a bit more too: cef.vn.usa@gmail.com

(A few photos Graeme took early on)

Early at the exhibition

Art work by a CEF student that was sold

Art work by a CEF student that was sold

Art work by a CEF student that was sold

Art work by a local professional photographer that was donated and sold

Art work by a CEF student that was not sold

Art work by a CEF student that was sold

    

                                                                     At the exhibition

Student are work from HAIS student, unsold

                                                       Art work by a HAIS student, unsold

Supporting more girls from ethnic communities

 Only yesterday CEF decided to help more ethnic girls receive scholarships at one of the schools we visited recently in Dong Giang, in the mountains of Quang Nam, a district with a large Co Tu ethnic community.

We are all thrilled that we can help more girls from the surrounding poor communities continue their high school education and hopefully go onto university.

When they are from families who are struggling to make ends meet, they are under a lot of pressure to drop out of school, whether that pressure is from parents or siblings, or self-induced.

We look forward to working with this high school and their Co Tu students.

Photos are by Graeme Burn 

Photos include the school building, school meeting hall, students, and home of one student

 

 

Home visits in Hiep Duc

 Here are a few photos from our CEF home visits in Nong Son district, one of the mountainous areas CEF work in. Due to Covid I had not been to the homes of these sponsorship students for two years, so it was a treat to see them!

This period of Covid and social restrictions has been a strange time for us at CEF, as normally we see our students four times a year and sometimes more. Having not seen them for so long, I missed the home visits and families, their sweetness, warmth and humor. 

Survey trip for new scholarship program

We at CEF are expanding our Scholarship Program to include more students from ethnic communities in Quang Nam to help them receive a full education. 

Students from ethnic communities are disadvantaged, resulting in a high drop out rate, early marriage, and the continuation of the poverty cycle of their families. 

Our first research trip was to Hiep Duc, a beautiful mountainous region where the ethnic communities are mainly Mnong and Xo-Dang.

These few photos are from this CEF research trip at the homes of girls we visited and in the surrounding countryside. 

About a granny's love

 One of our CEF students wrote this about her dear granny, and CEF's staff Lua translated this touching story:

There are three in my family including my granny who is over 80, my mother, and me. My mother is a single mum. She is also the main provider, so she works hard every day, rain or shine.

Since my birth my granny is the one who has spent most of her time taking care of me and talking to me. I'm lucky that I have her as she has always been by my side. She is the one who educated me to be who I am today. 

I grew up with my granny's love, songs, stories, and her food. I learned from observing her attitude, gestures and kindness when she related with other people. Granny always listens and is gentle with people. I learned by heart all of her stories and they helped enrich my knowledge of history, culture, and especially Vietnamese customs and traditions. Also she taught me to be polite and kind to others and reminded me many times about being grateful for other people’s help and appreciate the fruits of my and other’s hard work and efforts. 

Time has flown by and now my granny is so old and I’m in grade 11. I am so proud of my family and even though we are poor, my granny is always ready to help others when she can. I hope my granny will remain healthy and conscious until I can work and have the money to take good care of her.

Some of the Scholarship students

 A CEF scholarship helps a girl from an ethnic community in Phuoc Son district, near the Vietnam-Laos border remain in high school.

We want to help more girls this term to help them avoid premature marriage and childbearing ( early marriage is a tradition in their communities),  and reduce their risks of being trafficked by supporting them to remain in high school.eA CEF scholarship helps a girl from an ethnic community in Phuoc Son district, near the Vietnam-Laos border remain in high school.

We want to help more girls this term to help them avoid premature marriage and childbearing ( early marriage is a tradition in their communities), and reduce their risks of being trafficked by supporting them to remain in high school.

Contact:

Linda Burn

c.e.f.vietnam@gmail.com

(Photos are of some of the girls from ethnic communities in the scholarship program at present, some who have help and some who need help still)