STAND TALL VIETNAM MILK FUND REACHES ACROSS VIETNAM’S REGIONS

Founded in 2008, the Stand Tall Vietnam Milk Fund (through a collaboration of Vinamilk and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs) has given nearly 22 million cups of milk— equivalent to about 83 billion VND —to more than 307,000 children in difficult circumstances across Vietnam’s province

THE JOURNEY OF KINDNESS

In last July 2014, this important program came to Quang Tri Province—a land of harsh climate and also a cruel battleground in two resistances to save the country. The consequences of war still affect children here, and especially in the mountainous regions and amongst ethnic minorities children are still malnourished and experience stunted growth.

Understanding the difficulties they are facing, in order to share and help them have better nutrition, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, representatives of the Provincial Leaders, the National Fund for Children of Vietnam, and directors of Vinamilk gave 72,000 glasses of milk to 800 students in Quang Tri Province. This is not only a form of financial support but also valuable encouragement to help children eager to learn and practice.

These cups of sweet milk of kindness were delivered to the homeland of the Dong Khoi resistance – Ben Tre on May 4th 2014. 77,000 cups of milk and 100 million VND worth of scholarships were awarded to students at An Duc Primary School, in Ba Tri District. Prior to that, in March this year, the Milk Fund gave milk to poor children at Co To Island District, Quang Ninh Province, on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the strategically important island district. 49,000 cups of milk were given to more than 500 needy students living on the island. 100 million VND worth of scholarships was also provided to 50 children.

MORE THAN 307,000 NEEDY CHILDREN GET THE CHANCE TO DRINK MILK

In 2014, although the economy remained difficult, the Stand Tall Vietnam Milk Fund has been continuing its mission, granting an amount of milk equivalent to 8 billion VND (a 33% increase in value compared to that of 2013) to disadvantaged children. The milk will be provided over the course of three months to children in orphanages and social protection centers, as well as to pre-school and primary school students in the remote areas of 63 provinces across the country.

The important program also had the support of many artists and celebrities such as actor Xuan Bac and Miss Vietnamese World Ngo Phuong Lan to urge people to work together to improve the nutrition and the physical and intellectual condition of Vietnamese children, as well as raise broad awareness..

Ms.Bui Thi Huong, CEO of Vinamilk—sole sponsor for the Stand Tall Vietnam Milk Fund—said that there were still many children across the country facing difficulties in life, however, they are still trying hard to have a better life, this is a true social anxiety that needs attention. "Through Stand Tall Vietnam Milk Fund, and with a strong sense of responsibility to the community, Vinamilk wishes to contribute to improving nutrition for children. This also shows the commitment of Vinamilk to generations of Vietnamese—especially children in Vietnam who wish to drink milk every single day", Huong said.

The Stand Tall Vietnam Milk Fund was established in 2008, under the chairmanship of the National Fund for Children of Vietnam - Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in collaboration with Vinamilk, focusing on children in difficult circumstances all over the country, with the seemingly simple but very practical action, as handed the cup of nutritious milk to partly help the children get the opportunity to develop comprehensively both in physical and intellectual side for a brighter future. Currently, the Milk Fund has brought nearly 22 million glasses of milk—worth about 83 billion VND—to more than 307,000 disadvantaged children in Vietnam.

Source: Thanhnien