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October 5, 2025
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XL Academy Visits Vietnam
Over the 2024 Christmas holiday season, two members of XL Academy visited Vietnam on a fact-finding mission. They traveled from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Hanoi. They visited Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Hue in between.
Visiting an HIV/AIDs shelter for disadvantaged children
Our first stop was an HIV/AIDS shelter located in the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. There, we met with the staff and gave out some holiday treats. We learned about the shelter and its mission. We also met some adorable babies we discovered were abandoned in the middle of the night. Children with HIV/AIDS are at a disadvantage and shunned by their surroundings.
We learned how we can help. Other volunteers have donated medication and supplies, but that is only temporary. HIV/AIDs is a lifelong disease that requires long-term care. We found out that health insurance is $50 a year. With 100 affected children, if we can raise $5,000, we can help insure them.
Abandoned Babies
We enjoyed meeting the children and learning about the shelter's mission.
The faces of the children are blurred to protect their identities. Living with HIV still carries significant stigma and discrimination.
As low as $5
Help Us Make A Difference!
HIV is a serious public health challenge across the world, and in Vietnam there are thousands of individuals and families affected by it every year. HIV is not curable, but there are medicines that can help treat it. Although treatment allows people with HIV to live long and fulfilling lives gaining access to proper treatment can be a large financial burden. There are many vulnerable children with HIV in Vietnam that struggle to get health insurance that will provide them with the treatments they need, but just $50 will cover a child's health insurance for one year. If everyone donates just $1 we can quickly raise enough money to solve this issue and provide health insurance for hundreds children with HIV that will give them the access to the treatments they need to live and thrive.
We learned how we can help. Other volunteers have donated medication and supplies, but that is only temporary. HIV/AIDs is a lifelong disease that requires long-term care. We found out that health insurance is $50 a year. With 100 affected children, if we can raise $5,000, we can help insure them.
We are looking to fundraise to help this shelter!
Nha Trang
Road Trip to Lâm Sơn, Ninh Sơn District.
Lâm Sơn, Ninh Sơn District, Ninh Thuận is a 2 hour road trip from Nha Trang. We visited a church, Tam Ngan church. The pastors there help the indigenous people in the region. There, we donated a Chromebook laptop.
The Lam Son area's indigenous people are considered part of the Montagnard group, which refers to various ethnic minorities living in the central highlands of Vietnam, primarily including groups like the Jarai, Rhade, Bahnar, Mnong, and Sedang.
In XL Academy, we are dedicated to helping minority children learn English, opening doors to better job opportunities and brighter futures. Your donation will go into the resources they need.
What did we learn?
The local pastors gave us insights on how the local minorities are treated. Often, they are taken advantage of. The children are often not motivated to continue with schooling. Many drop out of school after 3rd or 4th grade. Minorities are treated differently and marginalized. After touring the small classrooms and meeting the wonderful children, we discussed the possibilities of remote learning. We donated a Chromebook. This is only the beginning. With future donations, we can raise money to bring Starlink internet and projectors for remote teleconferencing. We need your help.
Hue. The old Capitol of Vietnam
During Vietnam's Wet Season. The rain didn't stop us.
Our next stop was Phuc Loc near Hue. While there, we visited Nuoc Ngot (Fresh Water) Social Protection Centre and Nuoc Ngot Parish/Church.
We had dinner and entertainment from the local middle and high schoolers -- prospective XL Academy students and ambassadors.
We reviewed the facilities and were impressed. The church has a large meeting area for remote teleconferences. Across the street is the Nuoc Ngot Social Protection Centre. There is a Montessori preschool for children on the spectrum and learning disabilities. The church has a shop that is stocked with supplies for the poor. Their shop is called the Shop 50, meaning everything is 50% off if they qualify. Volunteers help run these programs.
Again, we will need funding to send Chromebooks and projectors to bootstrap XL Academy in Hue. Your donation will help.
Hanoi. Finding XL Ambassadors
At our last stop, we sought local ambassadors and XL members to help us. These on-the-ground members will help coordinate equipment and setup. And they happen to be kids just like us.
