INTRODUCTION
On April 26 and 27, 2025, we, the Be Better Foundation, continued our mission of spreading knowledge and inspiration through a series of Mentorship Programs at Tan Luoc High School and My Thuan Secondary and High School in Binh Tan District, Vinh Long Province. These events marked the 21st and 22nd Mentorship Programs organized by the Foundation.
This trip went far beyond a typical charitable activity. It became a profound journey of connection, sincere listening, and heartfelt impact, reaching over 500 students in grades 11 and 12. Amid a rapidly changing technological landscape where youth face countless choices and uncertainties, Be Better believes that hands-on experiences and guidance from mentors are a priceless beacon. In Binh Tan, the touching moments, transformative lessons, and caring support from the Foundation, teachers, and parents left an indelible mark.
I. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
| Content | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| 21st Mentorship Program | 22nd Mentorship Program | |
| Place | Tan Luoc High School, Binh Tan District, Vinh Long Province | My Thuan Secondary and High School, Binh Tan District, Vinh Long Province |
| Date | Saturday – 26 April 2025 | Sunday – 27 April 2025 |
| Number of student participants | About 300 grade 12 students from Tan Luoc High School | Over 230 grade 12 students from My Thuan Secondary and High School |
II. OBJECTIVES & CORE VALUES
The Mentorship Program by Be Better Foundation is strategically designed to create comprehensive and sustainable impact for the younger generation:
1. Thinking development and future orientation:
- Helping students develop independent and critical thinking skills; equipping them with guidance to navigate their future and choose career paths that best align with their abilities, passions, and personal circumstances.
- Sharing real-life stories and practical experiences from older mentors, offering students valuable life lessons and stronger preparation for the journey ahead.
2. Inspiring and awakening inner strength:
- Presenting authentic stories of perseverance and success without embellishment or exaggeration to motivate students to overcome adversity.
- Encouraging students to find their self-worth, cultivate resilience, and adopt a positive, socially responsible attitude.
3. Creating useful platforms and developing skills:
- Organizing highly interactive activities like the “A Person of wisdom” competition to develop essential skills such as teamwork, public speaking, critical thinking, and a thirst for learning.
4. Providing Scholarship:
- Awarding scholarships to promptly support orphaned students and underprivileged ones, helping them continue education.
III. IMPACTS OF SPONSORSHIP & AWARDS
The Mentorship programs in April reflected Be Better Foundation’s commitment to financially supporting and sharing knowledge:
1. Scholarship grants
A total of 8 scholarships worth VND 18,000,000 were awarded to underprivileged students, including:
| Support Level /student | Tan Luoc High School | My Thuan Secondary and High School | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Amount | Quantity | Amount | ||
| Lost both parents | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6,000,000 | 6,000,000 |
| Lost a parent | 2 | 4,000,000 | 4 | 8,000,000 | 12,000,000 |
| Total | 2 | 4,000,000 | 6 | 14,000,000 | 18,000,000 |
Additionally, the Foundation supported parents from poor or near-poor households attending the program with a total value of VND 900,000.
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 competition was held at both schools to develop students’ critical thinking and presentation skills. The total prize value reached VND 44,300,000, distributed as follows:
| Category | Tan Luoc High School | My Thuan Secondary and High School | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value (VND) | Quantity of Prizes | Value (VND) | Quantity of Prizes | |
| Warm-up activities | 1,000,000 | 10 | 1,000,000 | 10 |
| Question 1-Teamwork | 5,000,000 | 2 | 5,000,000 | 2 |
| Question 2-Teamwork | 5,000,000 | 2 | 5,000,000 | 2 |
| Question 3-Teamwork | 5,000,000 | 2 | 5,000,000 | 2 |
| Question 4-Individual | 1,700,000 | 2 | 1,700,000 | 2 |
| Final question-Individual | 2,300,000 | 4 | 3,100,000 | 4 |
| Additional question | 900,000 | 4 | 2,600,000 | 6 |
| Total | 20,900,000 | 26 | 23,400,000 | 28 |
IV. HIGHLIGHTS & TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT
In addition to numbers, moments of the April Mentorship Program touched emotions and sparked deep transformation within each student.
- At Tan Luoc High School (Mentorship #21): Nearly 300 students from grades 11 and 12 not only listened attentively but also boldly stood up to share, debate, and express themselves. They with the maturity in every word they spoke. Their responses, questions, and heartfelt reflections deeply truly gave us goosebumps. One student’s sincere reflection lingered long after the program: “I can’t promise I won’t fall again… but I believe I’ve changed.” It was a powerful testament to inner transformation
- At My Thuan Secondary and High School (Mentorship #22): A truly memorable morning unfolded here. Over 230 of our 11th and 12th-grade students kept surprising mentors again and again. Voices that echoed throughout the school hall, their confident answers, and their deeply curious and unique connection took us by surprise. It was just the way their eyes flickered between uncertainty and sudden clarity upon receiving heart touching values. A remark by student Nguyen Hoang Phi Long left a lasting impression on our team: “The future isn’t handed out like a gift. It’s something we sculpt for ourselves.”
Students’ reflections:
The reflections sent to the Foundation are the clearest testament to the program’s impact:
- “Mentorship didn’t give me hollow advice but guided me through real-life stories from older mentors. Since then, I know how to ask the right questions, set small weekly goals, and my future is no longer uncertain.”
- “A rash decision can cost us our youth. However, I’ve also come to understand that there is always a chance to start over if we don’t give up.”
- A powerful conclusion: “The future isn’t handed out like a gift. It’s something we sculpt for ourselves. And I’m ready to begin today.”
These deep reflections affirm that the Mentorship Program went far beyond the mere transmission of knowledge. It touched hearts, awakened inner strength, and ignited the desire to take ownership of future in every student.
V. VALUE AND MEANING OF THE PROGRAM
The Mentorship Program in Vinh Long this time succeeded in:
- Sowing the seed of comprehensive development: Promoting balanced development of Body – Mind – Wisdom in the young generation.
- Encouraging the courage to overcome challenges: Helping students bravely reflect on themselves, face fears, and steadily step out of their comfort zone to explore their potential.
- Encouraging students to live a meaningful life: Fostering a sense of responsibility toward self, family, and community, along with deep gratitude.
- Broadening perspectives on success: Through real-life stories, the program helped students understand that success does not depend on starting points, but on extraordinary willpower and perseverance.
We believe that each Mentorship session is a bridge, connecting and walking alongside students on their journey toward the future. Dreams have been extended and new paths opened. If the youth are trained properly, they will become the torchbearers spreading positive values to the next generation.
VI. OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE
Be Better Foundation respectfully extends our deepest thanks to:
- The administrators and teachers of Tan Luoc High School & My Thuan Secondary and High School for wholeheartedly supporting and creating favorable conditions for the program’s success, showing deep care for the comprehensive development of students.
- All students, who opened their hearts, listened, engaged, and together helped create a space full of love and learning. Your passion and thirst for knowledge are our greatest motivation.
- The speakers and volunteers for devoting your time, energy, and hearts to share real-life stories, spread positive energy, and guide the students with compassion.
VII. IMAGE
