Give girls the future they deserve
We reduce dropout rates and increase economic opportunities for the poorest students.
Pacific Links Foundation provides academic scholarships and development opportunities to middle and high school students in 30+ schools in the poorest border regions of Vietnam. We work with students to increase their self-awareness and life skills such as English, problem-solving, communication, and leadership to prepare them for future careers, with a focus in STEM.
We focus on...
Individual
Providing girls with long-term education, life skills, and English learning. Our support covers school fees, supplies, bicycles, tutoring, health insurance, internet access, and tablets.
Family
Engaging families through direct interactions, including Scholarship Ceremony, Individualized Home Visits, and School Family Days.
Community
Maximizing community-level impact by working with schools and local communities to support recipients, their families, and increase human trafficking awareness.
We implement...
Summer Camp
A series of life skills development & career exploration workshops led by volunteers from public & private sectors (L Brands, MGF Sourcing, Intel, Walmart, etc.).
Online Learning
Personal growth and self-learning opportunities including English tutoring, English self-study materials, and discussions with industry experts.
ADAPT Club
Student-led activities for youth development focused on goal-setting, public speaking, team-building, problem solving, and trafficking awareness.
We are proud of...
Join us
Resilience
"I lost my father when I was 12 years old and my brother had to drop out of school to work. After a terrifying period with an abusive stepfather, my mother and brother moved to Binh Duong for work, leaving me home alone. GEMS program came to me at a time when I thought there was no way out of the darkness. GEMS gave me an academic scholarship, showed me genuine love and concern. During my six years as a GEMS scholar, I’ve had many opportunities to invest in myself, develop a positive mindset, and become confident. My next goal is to get accepted too the School of Humanities, Department of Journalism."
Linh, GEMS Scholarship Recipient
Gratitude
"In 8th grade, I intended to drop out of school to work and support my family. Fortunately, I received GEMS scholarship and I am very grateful that the program not only allowed me to continue my studies, but also giving me opportunities to develop myself and confidently reaching out to the world. After graduating, I found employment and learned a trade to provide for my family. I hope that I could pay it forward by sharing my story, giving advice to current students, and volunteering for the program."
Thuan, GEMS Scholarship Recipient
Grit
"I’ve always struggled with English. I felt very self-conscious speaking English and that learning English was a very distant, impossible goal to achieve. GEMS provided me a tablet, headphones, and opportunities to study with native English speakers online. At first, I was very timid and afraid that I would be scolded at. However, the encouragement and patience I received from the tutors gave me motivation to work harder. I registered for ETOP classes and self-studied English online every week. I was shocked that I got 7.5 on my English test and I am very happy with the progress I made. I believe that one day, I will be able to speak English fluently."
Nhu, GEMS Scholarship Recipient
Grace
"I entered the GEMS program in 2018, when my father had just passed away. I was devastated but knowing that my father wanted me to have a better life, I tried to rise above our misfortunes. Many people have said that I remain calm in difficult situations, but I like to sit back and find the best course of action that would best help me achieve my goals. I will continue to study well and take all the opportunities given to me."
Phuc, GEMS Scholarship Recipient
Courage
"I was very self-conscious and timid because of my family’s financial circumstances. I always stood behind my friends when I met strangers, could not maintain eye contact when I talked, and never shared my own opinions. I did not know how to overcome my shortcomings. GEMS has created a supportive environment for me to shine and become more confident. I am now comfortable with speaking up and expressing my opinions. Furthermore, I maintain my good grades and actively participate in school competitions and activities."
Thu, GEMS Scholarship Recipient
Tutor
Are you an English speaker? Volunteer to help students practice and improve their English online.
Present
Empower students through our CoffeeTime virtual workshops. Email us at cafe.lms@pacificlinks.org with your bio/LinkedIn profile and a subject/idea to co-develop this.
Summer Camp
Camp counselors and workshop presenters support students to thrive during summer camp. Sign-up to receive updates on how to volunteer at a later date.
