1. Background and Rationale
Vietnam and Friends (VAF) is a nonprofit organization with over 13 years of experience providing educational opportunities particularly in English for the visually impaired community. VAF recognizes that English is a critical key that empowers visually impaired individuals to enhance their skills and integrate more fully into society. However, there remains a significant shortage of accessible and appropriate learning materials for this group in Vietnam.
After reviewing the outcomes of the One World One Language (OWOL) project implemented by VAF, the SonTa Foundation decided to provide funding to support the creation of essential learning materials for visually impaired students in the upcoming academic year.
2. Project Activities and Implementation
The partnership with the SonTa Foundation extends beyond financial support to include capacity-building efforts for the VAF team.
Funding Support:
The SonTa Foundation approved a grant of 30 million VND for the production of customized flashcards and specialized learning materials tailored for blind and visually impaired students.
Capacity-Building Training:
Staff from both the SonTa Foundation and VAF co-organized a series of three training workshops in late November and early December 2023. These sessions were designed to enhance the teaching and classroom management skills of volunteers from the SonTa Foundation and members of the MPVI project.
Extracurricular Activities:
The project also featured a variety of enrichment activities:
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Mental Health Workshop Series: In collaboration with Hope For Future (HFF), VAF conducted a series of mental health classes, equipping students with emotional wellness tools and personal development skills.
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"Tết Trong Em" Event (January 30, 2024): A Lunar New Year celebration featuring card-making, games, and musical performances.
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Spring Fair Participation (March 3, 2024): Students had the opportunity to engage with peers from the United Nations International School (UNIS) Hanoi, participate in games, and enjoy international cuisine.
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International Women’s Day Celebration (March 8, 2024): Students created handmade bracelets as gifts for the women they cherish.
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“Little Sunshine” Workshop (March 16, 2024): A sunflower planting workshop aimed at nurturing patience, attention to detail, and a connection with nature.
3. Partners
The OWOL project is led by Vietnam and Friends (VAF), in collaboration with the following strategic partners:
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SonTa Foundation: Primary funding partner.
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MPVI Project: Members actively participated in training workshops, fostering mutual learning and collaboration.
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Hope For Future (HFF): Partnered with VAF to deliver mental health classes and co-host the “Tết Trong Em” event.
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SoGREEN: Co-organizer of the “Little Sunshine” sunflower planting workshop.
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UNIS Hanoi: Partner since 2022 in organizing cultural and language exchange events.
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Mr. Trần Văn Tình, M.Ed.: Curriculum designer and instructor for the mental health classes.
4. Results and Impact
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Educational Quality: Instructional quality was maintained with well-paced, engaging lessons and a positive classroom environment.
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Academic Performance: Students achieved an average score of 8 out of 10 on regular assessments.
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Attendance Rate: Approximately 81% of sessions had full student attendance.
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Personal Development: Extracurricular activities significantly contributed to students’ soft skills, emotional well-being, and social connection.
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Financial Impact: The 30 million VND grant enabled VAF to produce high-quality, accessible learning materials for use in the OWOL program.
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Human Capital Development: The training series successfully strengthened teaching skills and community engagement capabilities among volunteers, contributing to a sustainable and high-quality volunteer workforce for future initiatives.
5. Post-Project Outcomes and Outlook
This collaboration has laid the groundwork for a long-term, meaningful partnership, one that goes beyond financial assistance to focus on strengthening the internal capacity of community-based projects. This strategic approach ensures that VAF’s mission will not only be sustained but also expanded in the future, offering greater opportunities for the visually impaired community in Vietnam.