New Life Page for "Invisible" Children - Vietnam

Bringing Over 5,600 Nutritious Meals to 40 Children from Disadvantaged Backgrounds at Ai Linh Charity School 

A nutritious meal may seem like an everyday necessity to many of us. But for children facing difficult circumstances, it means so much more. It provides the nourishment they need to grow, the encouragement to keep learning, and the strength to pursue their dreams. 

Through the A New Life Page (Trang MoiCuoc oi) project, MSD United Way Vietnam has partnered with Ai Linh Charity School to provide over 5,600 nutritious meals to 40 children from disadvantaged backgrounds during the 2025–2026 school year. Beyond addressing their nutritional needs, this initiative seeks to create better conditions for children to stay in school, develop their potential, and build a brighter future. 

Located in Ho Chi Minh City, Ai Linh Charity School provides educational opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those from low-income migrant families who often lack proper personal documentation and face barriers to accessing public education. At the school, children receive not only free education but also care, compassion, and dedicated support from the school's nuns and teachers. 

Behind every classroom, however, are stories of hardship. Many children come from families struggling to meet their basic needs, leaving them with limited access to adequate nutrition and healthcare. These challenges can affect their physical development, overall well-being, and ability to concentrate and participate in learning activities. 

Recognizing these needs, MSD United Way Vietnam, through its A New Life Page project, has worked alongside Ai Linh Charity School to provide nutritional support for 40 children in need throughout the school year. By the end of the reporting period, the program had delivered over 5,600 meals, helping improve children's access to nutritious food while encouraging their regular attendance and continued participation in school activities. 

Behind these meals are stories of meaningful change. PTP, a third-grade student, once performed well academically but gradually fell behind when the family could no longer provide adequate support for the child's education. With meal support at school, PTP had more opportunities to stay for afternoon study sessions and receive additional guidance and encouragement from teachers. Gradually, PTP regained an interest in learning, became more engaged with classmates, and showed significant academic improvement. 

NTD, a second-grade student, also faced considerable challenges. Growing up in a financially disadvantaged household, prolonged nutritional deficiencies often left the child feeling tired and unable to concentrate in class. With access to nutritious meals and continued encouragement from teachers, NTD's physical well-being and learning abilities improved. By the end of the school year, NTD had achieved the highest academic ranking in the class. 

These stories demonstrate how timely nutritional support, combined with the care and commitment of teachers, can make a meaningful difference in children's lives. The impact goes beyond physical health, extending to their academic performance, confidence, and overall development. 

Every meal served at Ai Linh brings children more than nourishment. It brings them better health, happiness, and renewed motivation to continue their educational journey. Because a nutritious meal today does more than nourishing a child's body. It can open doors to new opportunities and empower children to write brighter chapters of their own lives.