BIDV presented 5000 life vest-convertible backpacks and VND100 million to procure school supplies for disadvantaged children living in flood-prone and rural areas.

As part of the “Taking kids to school” 2018 programme of the National Fund for Vietnamese Children, BIDV presented 5000 life vest-convertible backpacks and VND100 million (USD4,400) to procure school supplies for disadvantaged children living in flood-prone and rural areas of northern provinces of Bac Giang, Tuyen Quang, Hoa Binh, Hai Duong and Binh Duong, to a total value of VND900 million (USD39,000). This is the 9th consecutive year BIDV has participated in this social welfare programme.

The backpacks presented by BIDV can be used by the students in daily life for carrying books and other school equipment. They also have the dual purpose of enabling them to stay afloat on water if necessary in the event of a flood. The backpacks help keep the children safer and make parents feel more at ease about sending their children to school. The programme demonstrates BIDV’s consistent support for national philanthropic and social welfare efforts and, more importantly, the bank’s commitment to education in Vietnam.

Addressing the presentation ceremony, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hong, vice president of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour cum president of the National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC) extended her special thanks to BIDV Trade Union for supporting the programme over the years. Ms. Hong confirmed that the backpacks are valuable gifts for the children, bringing peace of mind to parents and teachers particularly during the flood season. She also noted that BIDV has been an active participant in a number of programmes organised by the NFVC’s including “Scholarships awarding”, “Tet gifts for the poor”, “Taking children to school” and “Presenting gifts to child patients”, among others.

Mr. Phan Huy Hoang, senior vice president of BIDV Trade Union, said “Presenting life vest convertible backpacks to children in flood-prone areas is an annual joint effort between BIDV and the NFVC. Since 2009, BIDV has donated more than 30,000 backpacks valued at VND7 billion (USD300,000) to children across 35 provinces throughout the nation. BIDV hopes these gifts will motivate the children to strive to achieve the best results at school, meeting the expectations of their parents and teachers.”