“Accidentally introduced by a friend, I participated in the Loving Butterfly campaign since 2021 and later became a member of the VietBlood project. Up to now, I have donated blood 8 times and find this to be a meaningful work, bringing life opportunities to many people, especially patients in need of platelets. Through participating in the project, I also experienced more events and learned about IT to develop myself.”, said Mr. Dinh Van Hieu, a member of the VietBlood 2024 project.

DOCORP company awards funding to the VietBlood project. Photo: D.H.L

The VietBlood project is one of the community projects that JCI (Junior Chamber International) Da Nang will continue to implement in 2024.

Established less than 6 years ago, JCI Da Nang has brought about positive values to the community thanks to joint efforts made by young people. In addition to charity and relief activities to meet the community's urgent needs, JCI Da Nang also connects resources for career development environment among students, thereby spreading influence in the whole community.

With the mission of providing a platform to support blood donation activities, especially rare blood groups and platelets, in 2023 the VietBlood project mobilises volunteers and partners to donate more than 200 units of blood to the Da Nang Oncology Hospital, thereby spreading the spirit of blood donation as well as publicizing the meaning of blood donation activities to everyone.

Mr. Nguyen Binh Phuong, Viet Blood 2024 Project Director, said that initially this unit donated blood to patients in need during the COVID-19 outbreak. In 2023, being aware of the very high need of platelet in hospitals, it developed the VietBlood app to help hospitals access blood sources as quickly as possible.

This year, the VietBlood project will organise blood donation activities and upgrade the app to improve features to help hospitals and blood clubs find the most suitable blood donors.

One of JCI Da Nang's projects that young people are most interested in today is the 19 Train project. With the goal of solving the lack of career orientation among students in the central region, in the past 3 years, the project has organised more than 70 talk shows, career workshops and 3 major competitions, attracting more than 6,000 students to directly participate in connecting more than 100 businesses and partners to create an environment for students to develop their careers to later become a good employee for the business.

The focus is on three main activities: organizing a series of talk shows and workshops at universities to help students think critically; carrying out a series of in-depth activities related to vocational skills that young people are interested in; holding a series of activities to help students understand more about the requirements and desires of employers through competitions for third and fourth year students.

In particular, students join courses that last two years and a half to experience real work vibes according to the topics given by the business.

"In the coming time, the 19 Train project sets a goal that each year there will be 3 schools whose students will have access to connect with businesses.”, said Ms. Le Thi Thu Ngan, the Director of the 19 Train 2024 project.

As a social organisation under JCI Viet Nam, JCI Da Nang currently has 53 members who are active young citizens with the desire to contribute to the central region community through many outstanding projects.

It focuses on core activities: personal development training; business development, trade connections; community projects; cooperation promotion, exchange of culture and experiences.

With practical and meaningful activities, JCI Da Nang is increasingly asserting its position in society with 4 community-targeted projects, and each project has a distinct meaning and characteristics, contributing to solving social issues in Da Nang.

Mr. Tran Van Tien, the Vice Chairman of JCI Da Nang 2024, affirmed that members of the projects are students, workers and business owners. Except for the "Light Up" project for places without electricity in remote areas of Quang Nam Province, the remaining projects developed by JCI Da Nang always prioritise solving problems in Da Nang.

Reporting by DOAN HAO LUONG - Translating by A.THU