A new youth-led approach to long-term philanthropy in Vietnam

GKIA is a global nonprofit organization working to improve health, education, and overall well-being in underserved areas of Vietnam. Through its projects, Daniel Cox illustrates how youth-led initiatives can move beyond short-term or symbolic service to build systems designed for long-term use and local ownership. The organization's work has contributed to broader discussions among educators, community leaders, and young people in Vietnam about the scope and responsibility of student leadership.

Daniel Cox (R) shakes hands with a local tradesperson following the installation of a rainwater harvesting system at Sin Cheng Primary School, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Green Kites International Association

Youth leadership in context

Charitable activities are common in Vietnam and often take the form of seasonal donations, such as food, school supplies, or clothing, particularly around holidays or during emergencies. In contrast, the design and delivery of long-term infrastructure projects have traditionally been led by large international organizations, including UNICEF, World Vision, and Save the Children.

Founded in 2023 by Cox alongside co-founders in the United States and team members in Vietnam, GKIA represents a youth-led initiative operating at a different scale. From its inception, the organization sought guidance from advisers with experience in non-governmental organizations, multinational companies, law, and community development, while working closely with local partners. This combination of student leadership, professional oversight, and local collaboration has helped GKIA establish operational credibility uncommon among student-founded groups.

Designing within local constraints

In July, students at Sin Cheng Primary School in Vietnam's northern mountains gathered around a newly installed water tank and handwashing station. Previously, the school's toilets had remained unused due to the lack of running water. The installation of a rainwater harvesting system marked a practical change in daily operations.

The project reflects Cox's emphasis on designing solutions based on local conditions. During a 2023 field trip to Dak Lak, he observed that while most schools and homes had roofs, gutters were largely absent. This observation later informed the development of a simple, adaptable gutter system that can be installed on different types of roofing.

Early concepts were refined with the understanding that long-term maintenance would depend on what schools and local tradespeople could realistically support. The final design prioritized simplicity and repairability, ensuring that components could be replaced using locally available materials and basic tools. At Sin Cheng Primary School, rainwater now flows from the roof into storage tanks through basic gutters and pipes.

"Engineering projects that I lead in Vietnam aren't about novelty," Cox said. "They focus on solutions that are simple, affordable, realistic for everyday use, easy to maintain and robust enough to be replicated."

Recognizing that infrastructure alone may not change long-standing habits, GKIA paired physical installations with hygiene education. Workshops for students include lessons on water safety and soap-making alongside the introduction of new facilities. This integrated approach has since been replicated in several schools in Dak Lak and Lao Cai provinces.

Daniel Cox and his team leading a STEM workshop at Sin Cheng High School in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Green Kites International Association

Measurable outcomes

Since 2023, Cox has led a range of infrastructure and community projects, including:

- Providing more than 500 students with access to clean water and sanitation (from 2024)

- Offering technical and financial support to a community breast milk bank network serving around 40 families (from 2024)

- Supporting a volunteer blood donor network of approximately 2,000 participants (from 2024)

- Constructing a community library (2023), a playground (2024), and a computer lab (2025)

The organization operates through partnerships with teachers, community leaders, and local tradespeople to ensure that projects align with local needs and can be maintained over time.

Hoang Cong Minh, a coordinator of a community milk-donor network in Dak Lak, said the approach has made a practical difference. "Green Kites did more than donate equipment," he said. "They committed to covering electricity costs for freezers, helped finance additional units, and supported the development of an app to manage donors and storage. That stability allows us to consistently support about 40 infants and their families each month."

Broader implications

Reflecting on GKIA's development, Cox said progress often depended on persistence rather than visibility: "Much of the work involved returning after delays, adjusting plans, and stepping back when needed.". He added that the organization aims to build systems that can function independently, supported by long-term relationships with local stakeholders.

According to Cox, GKIA's work highlights how smaller, youth-led initiatives can operate as agile complements to large NGOs and government-led development programs. His work suggests that youth leadership need not be limited to short-term volunteering but can extend to the design and stewardship of durable systems.

Reflecting this perspective, Nguyen Gia Anh Dung, Founder and CEO of Viet Human Resources Co., Ltd., and an advisor to GKIA, said that he hopes GKIA provides not only inspiration, but also a practical example of how young people can contribute to sustainable solutions that continue to serve communities over time.