Children who have been orphaned due to COVID-19 are at high risk for permanent dropout from school. Fortunately, some of these children are being cared for at School of Hope located in Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang. Built by FPT Corporation, the school for grieving children is paying careful attention in providing them with access to education, health, nutrition, shelter and safe living conditions.

Mrs Tran Thi Thu Ha, the Chairwoman of FPT Corporation’s Trade Union Organization (first, left) presents school backpacks to children who have been orphaned due to COVID-19 before they enter the School of Hope. Photo: P.C

The School of Hope has modern and spacious facilities, and it is now home to 34 children who have lost one or both parents to COVID-19 nationwide.

An 8^th grade male student from Ho Chi Minh City is among these children who are living in this shelter. His father unfortunately died due to complications related to COVID-19, and his family was under financial stress. Financial difficulties were likely to lead him to quit school to work to support his family. Fortunately, FPT Corporation brought him to Da Nang in order to enable him to continue pursuing his academic dreams at the School of Hope.

An 11^th grader from Ho Chi Minh City was in the same situation as the 8^th grade student. She lost her father to COVID-19 in 2021 while his mother have been paralyzed for more than 10 years. Her family has no home in Ho Chi Minh City and its members are staying at a relative's house. Her family became even more challenging after her father died. FPT Corporation has supported her to pursue her academic goals at the School of Hope. In her efforts to try to replace her deceased father to support her family and take care of her paralyzed mother, she is determited to do her utmost to be enrolled in a univeristy in order to find a stable job after graduation.

Mr Hoang Quoc Quyen, the Director of the School of Hope said that the school will exert every effort to help these grieving children become good citizens in the future. The School targets to bring 1,000 children nationwide who have lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19 to Da Nang to provide with care and eduction. In 2022, the school will receive the first 300 grieving children.

Mr Quyen told of arduous journeys to bring these children to Da Nang. The school’s staff found it very hard to reach their places of residence as they are from poor families and they are living in rented accomodation or their homes are located deep down an alley.  

The School of Hope provides children who have been orphaned due to COVID with access to basis education from grade 1 through grade 12. Every day, they get up early to exercise, conduct personal hygiene, eat breakfast before coming to class. In addition, they have a chance to participate in the gifted and talented clubs as well as sports clubs and more entertainment activititives. Besides, they will participate in community activities on weekends.

Phan Chau Trinh University Health system is committed to providing comprehensive medical care for all students at the Shool of Hope. They will access to periodic health check-ups, free medical examination and treatment, free health counseling services, psychological treatments, and more. In addition, the university will offer 200 full scholarships covering accommodation and tuition fees to students who are enrolled in its science faculties.

According to FPT Corporation Director General Nguyen Van Khoa, voluntary support for grieving children shows the love of the corporation's leaders to them. The corporation aims to train and nurture them in order to develop talents for the country's future needs.

In his welcome letter for children who have been orphaned due to COVID-19, FPT Corporation President Truong Gia Binh said that the establishment of the School of Hope aims to help them ease the pain after the sudden loss of their beloved ones during the pandemic. He remarked that the name of the school is considered as the greatest wish of their deceased loved ones who want their children to be happy in life.

Mr Binh promises to create the most favourable conditions for them to follow their passions and develop their talents.

Reporting by PHUONG CHI – translating by H.L