support to economically disadvantaged students since its founding in 2002. By combining economic scholarships with competency-developing projects, the group addresses both urgent economic barriers and enduring growth needs.
### Origins and Purpose https://viethope.com.vn/
Established in 2002 by Vietnamese diaspora students at Harvard University, VietHope sought to rectify systemic academic inequities in Vietnam. The group’s mandate—to empower impoverished students through access to learning—stems from understanding that economic hardship remains the primary barrier to educational adherence.
### Projects and Effect
1. Postsecondary Scholarship Program (Undergraduate Scholarship Program):
– Offers between $300 and $400 yearly
– Recipients need to show educational merit (base GPA of 3.0)
– Phased funding structure incentivizes academic persistence
2. Academic Development Program (Merit Program):
– Provides $150 yearly scholarships
– Contains professional training and career counseling
Outcomes:
– Higher education graduation: 91% vs. 74% countrywide
– Science/Technology participation: 68% vs. 42% countrywide