Even though children in Vietnam and Myanmar may 
be motivated to study, many families cannot afford 
to educate them beyond sixth grade.

In Vietnam and Myanmar primary education is mandatory, but the tuition fees make it unaffordable for many families to continue their child’s education. Families often spend an entire month’s income just to send one child to school. Poverty forces some parents to choose between allocating expenses for meals, fuel, and medicine, or educating their children.

In cooperation with local school principals and monastic schools, MYANMAR CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION (MCF) and CHILDREN OF VIETNAM (COV) work to identify children from poor families who would do well with continued schooling. Parents are relieved of the financial burden of choosing between educating them or sending them to the fields or markets to help support the family. Recognizing that an education is the best way to fully develop their talents and maximize future contributions to their communities, MCF and COV together provide scholarships for over 500 primary and secondary school-aged children each year.