Youth Development Program
As Vietnam continues to undergo rapid socio-economic changes, many youths in the country have limited resources to help them adapt to and succeed in the new environment. 
Due to financial barriers, Vietnamese high school students face limited access to higher education, which is a crucial step to enable them to rise out of poverty, build a career and contribute to community life.
In addition, the university curriculum emphasizes book learning rather than practice through internships and community service, and there is minimal organizational support for youth-designed and youth-led volunteerism. Hence, there are few opportunities for youth, particularly impoverished youth, to develop professional and leadership skills in Vietnam.
The Opportunity
VietHope was the recipient of uNAVSA's 2008-2009 Collective Philanthropy Project (CPP). Over the next year, VietHope worked with uNAVSA and VSAs around the country to raise money to support youths through the VietHope Youth Development Program.
Through this financial support, VietHope will do the following 3 things:
Support a VietHope Office in Vietnam uNAVSA and VietHope will establish a permanent VietHope office in Vietnam by summer 2009. This office will implement the VietHope-uNAVSA Youth Development Program at the ground level, as well as expand on VietHope's current projects.
Fund the Youth Development Program Beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year, the Program will hold regular trainings and educational events for VietHope volunteers and recipients of VietHope's University Scholarship in Vietnam. These events include an annual Youth Development Summit, which will be initiated in summer 2009. This Summit will involve 30 VietHope University Scholars, as well as approximately 10 Vietnamese Americans. The Summit's participants will receive training in communications, teambuilding, and project management.
Expand the University Scholarship Program VietHope’s University Scholarship Program recipients are important to building the foundation of the Youth Development Program. To increase the reach and impact of the Youth Development Program, VietHope will increase the number of USP scholarships from 226 in 2007 to 400 students by 2010.
What You Can Do Today
If you would like to hold a fundraising event for this program, visit here. Or if you would like to make a donation to this program, visit here.
VietHope VSA Calendar
- Washington University Fight Night Fundraiser, November 1st, 2008
- Portland State University, November 8th, 2008
- UC Berkeley, Fall Culture Night, November 13th, 2008
- UC Irvine, 8th Annual Rose Pageant, November 22nd, 2008
- See more events
About uNAVSA
In 2005, The Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations established the annual Collective Philanthropy Project (CPP) to provide a medium for students and youths across North America to join together behind one charitable cause. uNAVSA is proud to present the CPP bid for 2008-2009 to VietHope.
