In many parts of the world, “back to school” means new notebooks, sharpened pencils, and fresh uniforms. But in rural Vietnam and Cambodia, it can mean uncertainty, anxiety, and for many children, the painful reality of staying home while others return to class. For these children, a scholarship can be the turning point.
At Mekong Plus, we believe that education is not only a right but the most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty. Through our scholarship program, we ensure that children from the poorest families stay in school and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Why Back to School Is Not a Given
In provinces like Bình Thuận, Hậu Giang, and in the Romdoul district of Cambodia, many families live on less than €1 a day. School uniforms, notebooks, and even basic transportation can quickly become out of reach. While both Vietnam and Cambodia have made impressive strides in public education, the hidden costs of schooling continue to exclude the poorest.
A modest monthly scholarship—ranging from €9 to €17—can cover most of these costs. It’s a small amount for many, but for these families, it can mean the difference between school and child labor, between hope and despair.
How the Mekong Plus Scholarship Program Works
Every year, Mekong Plus mobilizes thousands of students, teachers, and local partners for its annual Solidarity Run. This joyful community event raises funds from within the villages, for scholarships, bringing awareness and direct support to children in need.
The scholarship selection process is rigorous but inclusive. Scholarships are not reserved for top-performing students, but rather those most at risk of dropping out due to financial hardship. Many live in remote villages where public services are limited and families struggle to afford daily necessities.
In 2024 alone, the program helped over 3,000 children. The goal for 2025 is to sustain and grow this number with the support of donors and sponsors worldwide.
Meet the Children: Three Stories of Courage and Hope
Phan Thị Ngọc Hà (14yo, 8th grade – Ham Thuan Nam, Vietnam)
Ngọc Hà lost her father years ago, and her mother struggles with illness while caring for three daughters. Their only income comes from selling bread, often not enough to cover daily expenses, let alone school fees. Hà is determined to stay in school, but she often has to help with baking or selling at the market after class.
Despite the hardships, she continues her studies and dreams of a better future. A €11/month scholarship would ease the family’s burden and ensure she doesn’t have to sacrifice her education to help make ends meet. Sponsor Hà
Hoàng Thị Thúy An (14yo, 9th grade – Tánh Linh, Bình Thuận)
Thúy An’s family lives with multiple challenges. Her older sister has Down syndrome, and her father suffers from chronic illness. Her mother is the only breadwinner, doing seasonal labor to earn around €30/month per person. Despite everything, An is a strong and bright student with a dream of becoming a teacher.
With a €17/month scholarship over the next two years, An can stay in school and focus on her studies, lifting her family’s hopes along the way. Sponsor An
Sey Ha and Rotha (Grades 4 and 5 – Romdoul, Cambodia)
Sey Ha and Rotha live with their mother and grandmother after their parents’ divorce. Their only land—a 0.4-hectare rice field—barely provides enough to feed the family. Their mother works as a cleaner in Phnom Penh, and the family survives on about €22/month per person. School expenses for both boys come to around €43/month—an impossible sum.
A scholarship of €9/month per child would ensure both boys stay in school, instead of being pulled into labor to help support the family. Sponsor Sey Ha and Sponsor Rotha
How You Can Help
Sponsor a Child
With just €9 to €17 per month, you can sponsor a child’s entire school year—covering fees, uniforms, supplies, maybe a bicycle and even more. It’s a small monthly cost that delivers a life-changing impact.
Join the Solidarity Run
The Solidarity Run gathers over 200,000 participants every year across Vietnam and Cambodia. Students, teachers, parents, and community members run together to raise scholarship funds. In 2024, this grassroots effort raised more than €56,000.
You can join in spirit by organizing a run in your own community or sponsoring one of the students who run on behalf of others.
Ride for Scholarships
In Saigon and beyond, our bike tours are more than just a weekend activity. Whether it’s a peaceful Sunday morning ride through hidden green corners of Ho Chi Minh City, or a two-day journey to meet families and projects in the Mekong Delta, each tour helps fund scholarships for children. Every participant’s ticket includes a contribution to the education fund — a small gesture that brings lasting change.
Make a One-Time Donation
Not ready for a monthly commitment? One-time gifts go directly into the scholarship fund, helping multiple children start or continue their education this year.
Back to School: More Than Just a Season
For children in Mekong Plus communities, going back to school isn’t routine—it’s a lifeline. It’s the chance to learn, to dream, and to imagine something more than a life of subsistence farming or debt. With your help, every child can start the year with hope.
At Mekong Plus, we believe the back-to-school season is not just a calendar event—it’s a mission. Whether you sponsor a child, donate to the fund, or spread the word, you become part of a growing movement to ensure education is a right, not a privilege.
More Ways to Get Involved
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Sponsor a child with a scholarship: https://mekongplus.org/en/sponsor-a-child/
- Finance a microcredit: https://mekongplus.org/en/finance-a-microcredit/
- Join our eco-tours: https://mekongplus.org/en/mekong-bikes/
- Buy our handicrafts: https://mekongquilts.com/
- Make a donation to our programmes: https://mekongplus.org/en/donate/
- Follow us on Facebook: Mekong Plus
