International Women’s Day is a special worldwide occasion to celebrate female voices. This year, the 8th of March at Masterise Group is more outstanding than previous ones as we embark on a meaningful journey with a new partner - Room to Read.

Masterise Group’s and Room to Read’s Representatives at the meeting, marking the cooperation in the Girl’s Education Program.

Empowering Vietnamese girls through education

As a non-governmental organization focusing on children's literacy, Room to Read believes that “World Change Starts with Educated Children”. This idea also has many similarities with our mission to improve the quality of life and education in Vietnam. Hence, the March of 2022 marks the first time Masterise Group joins hands with Room to Read in the Girl’s Education Program to help girls with difficult circumstances complete high school and acquire essential life skills in the districts of Tam Binh (Vinh Long), Tra Cu (Tra Vinh), Can Giuoc (Long An).

Specifically, Masterise Group will work with Room to Read to closely support all girls at the project schools with four components: life skills education, counseling (individual and group), community connection - families - schools, and material support for girls with difficult circumstances. 

The girls are supported with life skills education, counseling (individual and group), community connection - families - schools, and material support for girls with difficult circumstances. 

According to Room to Read, the COVID-19 pandemic has especially posed obstacles specific to girls' education and increased pressure on them to drop out of school, which hinders their chances of being heard. We will need more stories about women and their power without borders. It is crucial to nurture and support girls to become new storytellers, a new generation of inspiring women.

Sharing about this partnership, Ms. Sylvia Lee, Head of Marketing, Masterise Homes said: “We are both proud and surprised to know that Masterise Group is one of the first local enterprises in Vietnam to partner with Room to Read in the Girl’s Education Program. I hope that the support of Masterise Group will not only help more girls in their journeys to access education but also spread this meaningful program so that more girls can receive help from other enterprises, schools, and the community. Through educational support, Masterise Group also hopes to contribute to empowering girls with knowledge and skills, and together build a better future for all.”  

More opportunities to the girls

Yen Nhi and Hoai Bang, both 12th-grade students at Vinh Xuan High School (Vinh Long Province) hail from poor circumstances but are not qualified for poor household certificates.

In 9th grade, Nhi had intended to leave school to work and support her family. Nhi was moved to tears when she saw the women mentors from the girls' education program arrive at the home of a student who had quit school to encourage her peers to return to school.
 

"I think, why people care about me so much, when I neglect myself, I want to quit school to go to work. Why do not I try to learn, so that I can have a good life, a better future," Nhi confided.

"My mother argued that life had been hard since she quit school in the past. That is why I want a stable job that allows me to care for my parents and financial independence," said Bang.

Nhi and Bang have changed dramatically compared to the past, thanks to the support of teachers from the girls' education program.

They have learned a variety of important life skills, including team management, self-defense, learning how to socialize with others, and planning their future careers.

"I have the impression that I am growing up. It is not natural to have a girl like me who speaks confidently in front of a crowd. This is a long process of training," said Nhi.

The stories of Kim Thuy and Nga motivated Masterise Group to support Room to Read to help girls achieve brighter futures through education.

"We hope Masterise Group's partnership will not only provide opportunities for children to acquire a comprehensive education but will also assist in extending this important program so that more girls can benefit from the support of businesses and the community," stated a Masterise Group spokesperson.

Further explore the journey of the Girl’s Education Program in Vietnam in 2021: https://www.facebook.com/roomtoreadvn/posts/7135204093172322