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Celebrating 25 Years of Lifting Children Out of Poverty
Thank you for transforming the lives of thousands of children with us over the past 25 years!
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are setting a bold goal for the next 25 years to end child poverty in Central Vietnam by 2048. To do this, we need your help to reach more children!
3 Trends Driving Child Poverty in Vietnam
About 1 in 3 children in Vietnam live in poverty, and there are many multidimensional reasons threatening the progress achieved over the past decades. This is why Children of Vietnam’s work is more important than ever before.
- Vietnam is still economically recovering from COVID-19 pandemic measures
- Inequalities for rural, indigenous, and ethnic minorities persist
- Insufficient investments in the education and health care system, especially for children with disabilities
Join us as we launch a 25 Years Campaign to accomplish this ambitious goal.
All year long, we will be holding events in-person and digitally to share:
- Our impact on children’s lives
- Give thanks to our donors, volunteers, and partners
- Raise awareness on the needs of children living in poverty
Campaign Events
Cycling Out Child Poverty Kick Off Event
On March 8, a team of children of Vietnam staff, volunteers, board members, and beneficiaries will cycle through villages and fields for 40 miles to garner support so that our mission to end child poverty can continue. Help us cycle out child poverty by joining the bike ride and/or donating today!
To learn more our ride and other events in Da Nang Vietnam, contact Executive Director, Giang Wells-Dang
Program Impact Live Stream Event
In April, Giang Wells-Dang, Executive Director, will host a virtual event with program updates and showcasing our 25th anniversary events in Vietnam. Check back for the date and time or follow us on Facebook
25 Years of Impact
25 Years of Milestones
The Beginning
1995
While on a business trip to Da Nang, Vietnam, Ben Wilson Sr. saw the ravaged state of the city after the war. Equipment from military conflicts was still present, along with unsanitary drinking water, sewage in the streets, and more, creating an unhealthy environment for Vietnam’s most vulnerable population: children. Tour guide and friend, Luong Thi Huong, took him on tours of the hospitals and orphanages, and together they began finding ways to help the local community.
Taking Action in the Early Years
2003
Provided over 1,200 children with nutritional support.
2003
Initiated a school-based parasite remediation program for 10,000 school children.
Responding to Needs
2005
In the first year of the Kindergarten Building Blocks Program, Children of Vietnam constructed 10 rural kindergartens serving about 300 young children.
2006
Bright Scholars University Scholarship Program was initiated with 50 students receiving first university scholarships.
2007
Implemented Opportunities for Disabled Children through our Hope System of Care Program to a 100 children, including those impacted by Agent Orange.
2008
Lunch & Learn Program initiated with the distribution of 285,120 meals to young children in this first year thanks to a partnership with Rise Against Hunger.
Expanding Where Needed
2009
Empowering Single Mothers Program was initiated to enable women to achieve financial security as they care for their children.
2011
Nancy Letteri steps into the Executive Director role after six years of volunteering and serving on the Board of Directors. Ben Wilson, Co-Founder, becomes a permanent member of the Board of Directors.
2012
Study Steps & Life Skills Program initiated with a first cohort of 25 sixth-grade girls.
2018
Soybeans to Soymilk Program launched, feeding soy milk to 400 kindergarten children in rural Quang Ngai Province.
Deepening Our Impact
2021
Expanded Delivering Clean Water & Sanitation to remote areas constructing household bathrooms and installing clean water filters in schools.
2022
Nancy Letteri retires and Giang Dang-Wells joins COV as the new Executive Director.
2023
Celebrating 25th Anniversary and new goal to eliminate child poverty in Central Vietnam in the next 25 years.
Today
Our work continues to build bright futures for vulnerable children. We constantly evaluate our programs and adjust. Some programs we conclude, many we enhance, while others we develop as new needs arise in the community to face challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
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