Feed and educate 3,500 children in rural Vietnam

PeaceTrees Vietnam welcomed the Lunar New Year of 2026 by celebrating with the children and educators in our kindergarten communities. During Tet, our local team visited several kindergartens to share lucky envelopes and small gifts with students, honoring this cherished tradition and welcoming a new year filled with hope and joy.

All of our kindergarten programs continue to thrive. Students are doing well and learning steadily each day. With ongoing support for education and nutritious meals, PeaceTrees Vietnam remains committed to providing children with safe, supportive environments where they can grow and build strong foundations for the future. 

Towards the end of 2025, our team responded to the discovery of unexploded ordnance (UXO) near one of our kindergartens in Quang Tri Province. The ordnance was discovered after heavy rains triggered a landslide along the area’s major road, uncovering ordnance that had been buried. A local resident quickly reported the discovery through the PeaceTrees and Quang Tri Mine Action Center hotline, allowing our explosive ordnance disposal team to respond within minutes. The team safely identified and removed 115 explosive items, ranging from small projectiles to rockets and incendiary bombs, before transporting them for secure demolition. While UXO discoveries at and around kindergarten sites are uncommon, this incident highlights the continued risks communities in Central Vietnam face and the important connection between safe land and access to education. Thanks to the swift response, the area was secured so children and families can continue to travel to school safely. 

None of this important work would be possible without the generous support of our donor community. Thanks to GlobalGiving supporters, we can continue investing in education, nutrition, and safety for children and families in Vietnam. By supporting our kindergartens, PeaceTrees helps communities move forward while protecting their youngest members. Thank you for standing with us and being a vital part of this journey toward lasting peace and opportunity!

As we continue our work to expand educational access and opportunities for young people in Quang Tri Province, we are honored to share the story of one of our recent scholarship recipients, Ho Thi Phung. Her journey reflects the profound impact that dedicated support and the power of education can have on a student, a family, and an entire community.

Phung was born in Huong Loc commune of Huong Hóa district, a mountainous and historically underserved area. After the passing of her father, her mother worked tirelessly to support the family. As an ethnic minority student from a household classified as poor, the road to higher education was uncertain for Phung, but she remained focused on her goals. She knew that continuing her studies was the key to improving her family’s future, yet financial barriers made it difficult to pursue. It was only through the PeaceTrees Vietnam scholarship that this possibility became real.

Through the PeaceTrees Vietnam scholarship honoring Mrs. Rae Cheney, the mother of the organization’s co-founding family, a new chapter opened in Phung’s life. She received support for four years of university study. In 2023, she proudly graduated from Quang Nam University of Internal Affairs and has since begun her career as a copywriter and freelancer, an important step toward independence and stability.

Reflecting on her journey, Phung shared a heartfelt message:

“Thanks to your support, I can now support myself and help ease the burden on my mother. Born and raised in an ethnic minority area, I clearly understand that access to education remains difficult for many young children. Education is the only path to rise up and contribute to our homeland. I hope one day to give back and support younger students just as I was supported.”

Phung’s story demonstrates how timely investment in education can open doors that once felt out of reach. Her success is not only personal, it inspires younger students in her community to dream bigger and to believe that their circumstances do not define their future. Her journey continues to spread belief in the power of education across her community.

We are deeply grateful to our GlobalGiving community for making stories like Phung’s possible. Your generosity helps ensure that students in Quang Tri, especially ethnic minority students, have the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead.

Thank you for continuing to stand with PeaceTrees Vietnam and the next generation of leaders. Your support is lighting the way toward brighter futures and stronger communities.