1. Project Rationale
#1: Urgent Needs of the Students
Mai Hòa Center—commonly known as Mai Hòa Shelter—is a home for people living with HIV/AIDS in difficult circumstances, especially orphaned or abandoned children. While the students are supported in integrating into society and attending school like their peers, they continue to face social barriers and discrimination. This fuels their desire to participate in extracurricular activities, build friendships, and connect with others.
#2: Lack of Online Learning Equipment
Since January 2024, SonTa Foundation has organized online English classes for students at Mai Hòa. However, the existing learning equipment is insufficient. With only one shared computer and a single microphone, teacher-student interaction is severely limited, affecting the quality of teaching and learning.
To address this issue, SonTa Foundation partnered with volunteers and the social enterprise Cỏ Ba Lá (Three-Leaf Clover) to launch the “Art for Webcams” initiative.
2. Program Details & Implementation
Main Activities:
1. “Painting Flowers of Hope” Workshop
2. “Art for Webcams” Exchange Program
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Donors register and send webcams to the SonTa Foundation office
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Devices are inspected and gifted to students at Mai Hòa
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Donors receive a student’s original artwork, a thank-you letter, and a certificate of appreciation
3. Project Evaluation
Achievements:
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“Painting Flowers of Hope” Workshop: 15 students and 8 volunteers participated
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“Art for Webcams” Exchange: Collected 10 webcams, 1 used laptop, and 1 headset
Impact:
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Learning Equipment: Enhanced the quality of online education with donated devices
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Creative Development: Empowered students through art, building skills and confidence
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Community Connection: Strengthened bonds between volunteers and students, creating a more positive learning environment
4. Project Cost
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Total Cost: 9,101,500 VND
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Funded by SonTa Foundation: 5,183,500 VND
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In-kind Donations from the Community: 3,918,000 VND
5. Next Steps
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Phase 2 (July 2024): Complete the installation of the remaining 2 webcams in the primary classroom at Mai Hòa. Inspect and donate the refurbished laptop to a qualified student.
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Upcoming Expansion: Launch the initiative at Doan Duc Thai Secondary School in Bu Dang, Binh Phuoc, aiming to distribute learning devices to over 300 students and improve their access to online education.
6. Acknowledgments
SonTa Foundation would like to express heartfelt thanks to:
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Our generous donors who exchanged gifts and contributed equipment
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Social enterprise Cỏ Ba Lá for providing valuable materials
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Supporting partners: Nguyễn Hiến Lê Foundation, Books & Action Club (HCMC), PISE, Đêm Sài Gòn, and Hai Cây Chổi Organization
We deeply appreciate the community’s support in spreading this initiative and improving learning conditions for the children of Mai Hòa Center.