INTRODUCTION
On 17 May 2025, the journey of sowing seeds of knowledge and hope by the Be Better Foundation continued with the 23rd Mentorship program, held at Huyen Hoi Secondary School and Nguyen Van Hai High School. This journey focused on accompanying and guiding more than 300 students in grades 9 and 12 who are standing at a crossroads in life.
Be Better Foundation understands that in addition to academic knowledge, students at those age need real-life stories and lessons from older mentors. The program was more than just a career orientation session; it was a space of deep listening, genuine understanding, and sincere connection.
With collaboration from the leadership of both schools and the wholehearted support from families, Mentorship 23 became cherished memories, empowering the students with confidence and faith in their future.
I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
| Category | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| 23rd Mentorship Program | ||
| Place | Hall of Huyen Hoi Commune, Cang Long District, Tra Vinh Province | |
| Schools participated: | Huyen Hoi Secondary School | Nguyen Van Hai High School |
| Date | Saturday – 17 May 2025 | |
| Number of student participants | Over 300 students from 9th and 12th grade | |
II. OBJECTIVES AND CORE VALUES
The Mentorship program, organized by Be Better Foundation, carries the hope of not only spreading knowledge, but also awakening inner strength and a spirit of independence in every student, especially those standing at life’s critical crossroads.
1. Thinking development and future orientation:
- Mentorship empowers students to cultivate independent, critical thinking, and the courage to ask the right questions. Through real-life sharing, the program opens up clearer perspectives on careers, personal strengths, and the paths that truly fit who they are , free from confusion or pressure in making life choices.
2. Inspiring and awakening inner strength:
- Mentorship used authentic stories of perseverance without embellishment or exaggeration to emphasize the values of resilience. Each story is a vivid testament that circumstances do not define a person but ways of living and the attitude we hold in the face of adversity do shape our future.
3. Creating useful platforms and developing skills:
- The program offers students opportunities to develop essential soft skills such as teamwork, public speaking, and debate, etc. through meaningful competitions. These experiences help equip them with greater confidence as they step into the wider world beyond the school gates.
4. Providing scholarship:
- Mentorship also integrates the awarding of scholarships to students facing especially difficult circumstances. More than just financial support, these scholarships carry a message of recognition and encouragement, a reminder that their efforts are worthy of continuation, and that they are never alone on their journey of learning.
III. IMPACTS OF SPONSORSHIP & AWARDS
The Mentorship programs in May reflected Be Better Foundation’s commitment to financially supporting and sharing knowledge:
1. Scholarship grants
A total of 11 scholarships worth VND 22,000,000 were awarded to underprivileged students, including:
| Support Level /student | Huyen Hoi Secondary School | Nguyen Van Hai High School | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Amount | Quantity | Amount | ||
| Lost both parents | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lost a parent | 5 | 10,000,000 | 6 | 12,000,000 | 22,000,000 |
| Total | 5 | 10,000,000 | 6 | 12,000,000 | 22,000,000 |
Additionally, the Foundation supported parents from poor or near-poor households attending the program with a total value of VND 1,500,000.
More than just financial aid, these scholarships and support grants served as encouragement for students to believe in a brighter future and stay committed to their academic goals.
2. “A PERSON OF WISDOM” COMPETITION
The “A person of wisdom” competition was held at both schools to develop students’ critical thinking and presentation skills. The total prize value reached VND 21,000,000, distributed as follows:
| Category | 23rd Mentorship Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Value (VND) | Quantity of Prizes | |
| Warm-up activities | 1,000,000 | 10 |
| Question 1-Teamwork | 5,000,000 | 2 |
| Question 2-Teamwork | 5,000,000 | 2 |
| Question 3-Teamwork | 5,000,000 | 2 |
| Question 4-Individual | 1,700,000 | 1 |
| Final question-Individual | 2,700,000 | 3 |
| Additional question | 600,000 | 3 |
| Total | 21,000,000 | 23 |
IV. HIGHLIGHTS & TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT
In addition to tangible outcomes, the greatest value of the Mentorship program lies in the deep impressions it leaves on each participant’s heart. They are moments where change and hope can be felt most genuinely.
One of the most touching images from this journey was an elderly grandmother who brought her grandchild to attend the program. Grasping the hand of a Be Better Foundation member, she tearfully shared:
“I don’t know if I can live till the day my grandchild succeeds but whatever the dream is, I’ll support it fully. As the parents left, my grandchild has lived with me since young… Now there’s a wish to leave for studying. I’m scared too… but well, if that’s the path chosen, I will not obstruct…”
Those words reflected the love, faith and quiet sacrifice towards her grandchild that fuels Be Better Foundation on our path.
Moreover, reflections from students are the vivid testament to the program’s impact:
“Those shared words are like ‘precious theories’ about life and I must strive really hard to apply them in real life.”
“Everything you’ve shared doesn’t do the learning for me, but they help me gain a clearer perspective on what I have experienced and am going through.”
These honest reflections affirm that Mentorship is far more than an exchange of information. It has truly become a source of emotional support, a spark of inner strength, and a beacon of belief in each student’s ability to shape their own future.
V. VALUE AND MEANING OF THE PROGRAM
The Mentorship program in Tra Vinh has come to a close, but the values it brought continue to resonate deeply. Through engaging activities and heartfelt sharing, the program created positive impacts that helped shape students’ mindsets and inner strength:
- Fostering comprehensive development (Body – Mind – Wisdom): The program delivered knowledge (Wisdom), nurtured emotional well-being (Mind) and encouraged students to face their personal limitations (Body), aiming for balanced, harmonious development.
- Ignite bravery and inner strength: Through interactive activities, the program offered a safe space for students to confront their fears, discover their motivation, and find the confidence to step beyond their comfort zones.
- Cultivating a mindset of responsibility and gratitude: The shared stories helped students develop a deeper awareness of their responsibility to themselves, their families, and their communities. A natural sense of gratitude, even for the smallest things, was gently awakened.
- Instilling belief in personal effort: Real-life stories from the mentors demonstrated that success doesn’t come from luck or family background, but from persistent effort, resilience, and never giving up.
The program in Tra Vinh served its role as a bridge, connecting and walking alongside students on their journey toward the future. Seeds of hope and confidence have been sown. Be Better Foundation believes that if those students are trained and supported properly, they will have solid foundations and become the torchbearers spreading positive values to the next generation.
VI. OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE
Be Better Foundation respectfully extends our deepest thanks to:
- Administrators and teachers of Huyen Hoi Secondary School and Nguyen Van Hai High School for supporting, creating favorable conditions, and encouraging every student. It was your dedication and open-minded spirit that made the program meaningful and full of inspiration.
- All students, who opened their hearts, listened, engaged, and together helped create a space full of sincerity, where knowledge is shared and empathized. Your initiative, eagerness to learn, and positive attitude are clear evidence of the inner potential waiting to be awakened.
- The speakers and volunteers for devoting your time and energy to share real-life stories, spread positive energy, and guide the students with compassion.
VII. IMAGE
