Construction starts on Hope School for Covid orphans

The project, taking over more than 6,500 square meters in FPT Technology Urban Area in Ngu Hanh Son District, is expected to cost VND200 billion (US$8.2 million) of FPT's investment and complete in 2024.

Attending the groundbreaking ceremony were leaders from Da Nang People's Committee and FPT Corporation.

Da Nang leaders and FPT Corporation's representatives press buttons to start work on Hope School, September 16, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong

One block of the building will be used for classrooms and the other for students' boarding rooms, with an underground parking lot.

The school also includes a library and rooms for experts.

Truong Thi Thanh Thanh, Chairwoman of Hope Foundation, said the construction of Hope School demonstrates FPT's commitment in taking care of children who lost their parents to the pandemic.

Truong Thi Thanh Thanh, Chairwoman of Hope Foundation, speaks about the Hope School project. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong

"With its success from 35 years of operation, FPT wants to accompany the society for its success and development as well, wishing to support children who lack a family with love and kindness."

Thanh thanked Da Nang's leaders and supporters for having facilitated the creation of the school.

Among the supporters are Taketoshi Nagaoka, General Director of United Insurance Company of Vietnam and Tairo Sugiyama, Chief of Sompo Representative Office in Hanoi, who have helped organize symphony orchestras at the school in an effort to use music to ease the children's pains.

An artist's impression of Hope School established by FPT Corporation and Hope Foundation. Photo courtesy of Hope School

Tran Chi Cuong, Da Nang's vice chairman, said: "I believe that with FPT's experience in management and training, the school will be a safe and convenient environment for the children to grow into confident and happy adults."

Hope School opened in August 2022 and has been operating at a rented building.

Its own building once completed will stand next to the FPT Complex, around 300 meters from the Co Co River, two km from the sea and 11 km from Da Nang's center.

Hope School's students pose with leaders of Da Nang, representatives of FPT and Hope Foundation at the school groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong

Hope School groundbreaking ceremony came exactly two years after FPT chairman Truong Gia Binh announced to establish the school to take care of 1,000 children who lost their parents to Covid-19.

The school has received more than 300 children from across Vietnam and is going to pay for their entire education and living expenses from first to 12th grades.

The students are attending classes at FPT's schools in FPT City Da Nang urban area.