[Project 12] Raising VND 12 Million to Support an 11-Year-Old Mong Girl: From Protection to Independence

Born into a family of five children in Dien Bien Province, Ho Thi Mai* was deprived of many of the simple things that every child deserves. Her father passed away when she was just one year old, and her mother later became incarcerated. Growing up with fragmented care and temporary places to call home, the young Mong girl was never able to attend school or learn to read and write. At just 11 years old, she entered life with very little to prepare her for the future.

After moving to live with her older sister's family on an island district more than 2,000 kilometers from her hometown, Mai experienced severe trauma when she was sexually abused by her brother-in-law. She remained silent for a long time—not because she did not suffer, but because she did not know who she could turn to. Only when she could no longer endure the abuse did she find the courage to speak out. Her family immediately reported the case to the authorities and brought her back to Dien Bien. However, her siblings also face significant financial hardship. Both of Mai's older brothers work as casual laborers with unstable incomes. One of them is raising a young child on his own, making it impossible for him to provide Mai with long-term care.

In response to these circumstances, the Dien Bien Sunshine House and the Dien Bien Fund for Community Development (FCD) took Mai into their care and have been providing her with psychological and legal support, helping her regain emotional stability, rebuild her sense of safety, and restore her confidence in life. At the same time, what Mai needs most now is stable financial support to cover her daily living expenses, enabling her to gradually access education, receive vocational training, and prepare for an independent future when she comes of age.

To support Mai on the journey ahead, For Vietnamese Stature Foundation is calling on the community to help sponsor her living expenses at VND 1 million per month. During the first year, this support will help provide her with a safe place to live and adequate daily meals at her brother’s home. The Dien Bien Sunshine House and FCD have also connected with the Dien Bien Provincial Department of Health and local authorities to develop a suitable plan for Mai to begin literacy classes and vocational training.

Every contribution, no matter how big or small, is a helping hand that empowers Mai to complete her journey from being protected to standing confidently on her own.

Join For Vietnamese Stature Foundation in helping write the next chapter of Mai’s future—with companionship, understanding, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in safety and happiness.

*Character's name has been changed for identity protection 

Providing living expense sponsorship for children facing difficult circumstances is a long-term initiative of For Vietnamese Stature Foundation, aimed at mobilizing resources from across society to ensure that every child has the opportunity to live a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful life.