Kickstart Kids

We have more exciting news! On December 2, 2025, Nai Thiên flew to Japan to begin her contract!

At the end of November, Nai Thiên went to spend time with her family in the countryside for 3 days, then Kha and Ly arranged time to help her shop for some warm clothes and other essentials that she will be needing in Japan.

A big thank you to Mr. Ba and Mr. James for supporting the Christmas party get-together as well! Nai Thiên expressed her thanks with cards, while Kickstart Team member shared ‘words of wisdom’ and well wishes. Thank you, Ka Nhi, for helping translate Ms. Leslie’s recorded message too.

*Also, Mr. Ba and Kickstart presented a scholarship and the 'Singapore Tour Award' to Như Y, a student who has overcome many difficulties, yet maintained excellent achievement for her second year. Congratulations, Như Y!

We are happy to let you know that Nai Thiên has arrived safely and is staying at a training center for her month-long course near Saitama. She will work and study in Saitama for 3 years, near Yabong, Ya Hạc , Ao Sáng, Sephora, and Nai Triều!

Nai Thiên is staying at the school dorm, just like all of our previous students, where there is a supermarket conveniently nearby. She is currently sharing a room with her new roommate who came from Huế.
Good luck in all that you do, Nai Thiên! Congratulations!

Ya Hac returned to Vietnam for a visit with family in his hometown and also came to meet our present Kickstart students. He not only motivated them, but inspired students in the villages during scholarship handout days by sharing his experiences in Japan.

Here is the translation of Ya Hac’s speech:

Today I would like to share about the quality of life I experience in Japan. First, the environment here is very clean and well preserved. The streets, parks, and neighborhoods are taken care of, which makes daily life comfortable and healthy.

Second the transportation system is both safe and convenient. Public transport is reliable, and the roads are well organized which allows people to travel easily and without stress. Another important aspect is the food there are so many delicious dishes, both traditional and modern, that I truly enjoy every day.

Finally, I am very satisfied with my current standard of living. I feel that I have everything I need to live comfortably and happily. So, I want to live in Japan along time. In conclusion, living in such an environment with safe transportation, tasty food, and a good lifestyle makes me feel thankful and motivated everyday.

Of course, it always helps to have my friends here with me - Ao Sang, Sephora, Ya B**g and Nai Trieu are in the same province!

On October 19, 2025, we were thrilled to congratulate 25 students (from zone 23 area of Binh Thuan and Sara kids from Phan Thiet) on their well-deserved success!

Many gifts and prizes were handed out this year:

From Mr. Ba’s team, 25 students received gifts of school supplies.

in July, Kickstart students from Saigon, designed an essay writing project for all 3 levels – primary, secondary and high school students in the countryside. The Kickstart students had collectively saved money (that they had earned from working) to buy gifts for those who had the best, most moving essays. After marking all of the essays, they chose a total of 29 essays from Đồng Nai, Lam Đồng, and Bình Thuận students.

Drawing and colouring contest winners were chosen and gifts went to first, 2nd and 3rd prize students.

It is always wonderful for the Kickstart team to participate in activities as they visit new areas of their country and, of course, to celebrate after all their hard work. While Kickstart students were allowed to go home to spend time with their families, the core team enjoyed Dalat city! They also visited a nice coffee shop with beautiful views on the mountain– Ka Sa Gia Bac Di Linh. All students had a wonderful time playing in the water at the beach and in the pool. Thi Châu was happiest, being able to experience the beach for the first time!

Again, we would like to thank all donors for your generosity. Students expressed their thanks to everyone as well. And a special thank you to the Kickstart Team, BOD, and all others who helped to make it all happen!

On October 18 and 19, 2025, activities were led by the Kickstart Team and scholarships were delivered.

We are thrilled to congratulate 49 students from Lam Đồng on their well-deserved success!

It was the first time for Kickstart students Yen Nhi and Thi Châu to start the days events with speeches. An Bình and My Linh were the hosts, leading the program. The other students were honored to hand out scholarships to the future generations who will follow them.
A lot of planning and work goes along as part of the preparation for our scholarship days. Not only collecting and matching donors to recipients, but in purchasing and collecting supplies for games, plus foods and goods for families. Then arranging for Kickstart Team transportation, students and their family’s transportation to the desired scholarship handout locations, bringing all the supplies and people together – and then organizing the flow of the scholarship day schedules.

Congratulations to the following 143 students from Đồng Nai Province! Part 2:

September and October have been busy months for Kickstart! Your donations have been well received, and this year we handed out 217 scholarships!

Đồng Nai - 143 (September 27th)
Lam Đồng- 49 (October 18th and 19th)
Bình Thuận- 25

There were also several activities and exciting moments for both the Kickstart Team and students leading up to and during the scholarship days.

We are so deeply grateful for your ongoing support. Every donation towards our students is meaningful, impactful, and warmly appreciated. Thank you for your generosity.

With much gratitude,
The Kickstart BOD

Here are some highlights from Đồng Nai on September 27, 2025!
Part 1:

We are so excited to share the wonderful news that Ma Vườn has been accepted to begin her 3-year contract in Japan. Congratulations, Ma Vườn!

Of course, many activities took place before her flight on September 29th. To help Ma Vườn to prepare for her new journey, Kha took her shopping for warm clothes and other necessities.

There was also a wonderful meet up with her fellow students, former Kickstart graduates – Ly, plus Ya Hac and Ao Sáng - who were home visiting. Also present were Mr. Ba, Co Tuyet, Mr. Minh, Mr. James and even a surprise visit from Ms. Rita and her family (visiting from Canada)! The inspirational stories shared by all were encouraging for not only Ma Vươn but also for the 3 Kickstart students who are preparing go to Japan in November - Nai Thiên, Nai Thuỳ & Nai Trình!

A farewell get together was arranged for Ma Vườn, followed by goodbyes at the airport. She then sent us photos letting us know that she arrived in Japan safely and that everything went well - again thanking her teachers and friends for their support.

We can’t wait to hear of your updates, Ma Vườn! You have so many exciting experiences yet to come!

Following is the thank you message from Ma Vươn:

Dạ con xin kính chào quý thầy cô và ACE thân mến ạ . Hôm nay một đêm cuối cũng là ngày cuối cùng để con chuẩn bị sang Nhật làm việc . Cảm xúc thật khó tả khi phải xa gia đình , thầy cô và bạn bè những người thân yêu , nhưng con phải kìm nén cảm xúc vì tương lai còn phía trước và khát vọng . Mang trong mình đầy sự khát khao để cuộc sống và gia đình trở nên tốt hơn . Bây giờ con cũng đã lớn , tập sống tự lập vì con biết rằng xa 1 đất nước đã gắn liền 21 năm rất khó . Một nơi thật đẹp và bình yên Nhưng ước mơ cũng đang phía trước chào đón con để con tỏa sáng lên để học được điều mới trên một đất nước thật đẹp và văn minh là Nhật Bản . Con cũng sẽ cố gắng nổ lực để không phụ lòng thầy cô , ba mẹ , và bạn bè xung quanh nữa . Sẽ rất nhớ những ẩm thực việt nam những con người có tấm lòng ấm áp và những điều còn động trong lòng . Thật biết ơn và luôn ghi nhớ tấm lòng của thầy cô , bố mẹ và bạn bè thân yêu ạ

Dear teachers and friends,
I would like to say hello. Today is the last night and also the last day for me to prepare to go to work in Japan. My feelings are hard to describe since I have to leave my family, my teachers, friends, and loved ones. But I have to restrain my emotions because the future and my aspirations lie ahead.
I am full of desire for a better life, now that I have grown up and practiced living independently, yet I understand that it is very difficult to leave a country that I have been attached to for 21 years. Although Vietnam is a beautiful and peaceful place, the dream ahead (in the beautiful and civilized country - Japan) will also welcome me so that I can shine and learn new things.
I will also try my best not to disappoint my teachers, parents, and friends. I will miss Vietnamese cuisine, people with warm hearts, and things that still touch my heart. I am truly grateful and will always remember the love and kindness of my teachers, parents and dear friends. I will miss you all so much. Thank you all and see you again, everyone!

Want to sponsor a student this year?
Contact us!🥰

Hello all!
It’s that time of year again for me to kindly ask if you would like to sponsor a student for the 2025-2026 school year for the Kickstart Kids in Vietnam. I will be collecting your donations and sending them directly to Tuyet by August 12, 2025.

Please message me to indicate your interest, how many students you wish to sponsor, and which name/s you would like me to list as the sponsor/s.

The amount per student is still 2,500,000vnd
$95.37 USD
$131.45CAD

If you are in Canada, you can etransfer to me at:
[email protected]

If you are in the U.S., please message me directly for transfer of funds details.

With deepest gratitude,
Leslie

Kickstart has had some exciting celebrations and farewells.

Our Kickstart student, Nai Trieu, received her visa to go Japan and was able to take off on March 10th for her 3-5 years experience!

A wonderful farewell dinner and meeting took place at the Binh Tan dorm as many shared words of encouragement and congratulations to Nai Trieu. Kickstart students, Ms. Tuyet, Ms. Ly, Mr. James, Robin Ford and his wife - Mai, and Mr. Minh ( the Japanese teacher of all students) were all there to support, give advice and well wishes to Nai Trieu on her success.

Ms. Tuyet was able to say her goodbyes at the coffee shop and pass Nai Trieu some donations, and Kha took her to buy some Japanese books and other necessities.

Thank you Thien and Tin, for sending us photos from her farewell at the airport as friends and family sent her on her journey. We all wish you many wonderful experiences in Japan, Nai Trieu!

And thank you, Nai Trieu, for sending us your first photos after landing in Japan. We can’t wait to hear updates of your amazing new life, full of opportunities! Congratulations and good luck!

We also have wonderful news about our Tet Box Project!

Our Kickstart team (Ma Vuon, Thiên, Thánh, Thuỳ, Luyn, My Linh, and Ma Nuy) handed out 88 Tết boxes to five villages in need - Pro, Đa Ron, Kado, Kasa, and Lang Bang.

Kado & Pro- Don Duong - 33 Tết boxes
Da Ron - Don Duong- 26 tet boxes
Lang Bang- Gia Bac- Di linh - 10 boxes
19 boxes for Kasa- Gia Bac- Di linh

Special thanks go to the following groups who helped us in collecting all of the Tết boxes!

Nanuri team – 19
Kara’s family – 19
Hiep’s team -13
& Rachel’s team - 37 boxes (including Bảo Ngọc Taylor - 9 boxes)

Pro and Kado kids expressed their gratitude by presenting appreciative speeches to thank everyone.

Chúc mừng năm mới!