Fund a Future: Vietnam College Scholarship

Dear Friends!

I am excited to share with you some background on this fundraiser which I have started to support a college scholarship program for a student in my birth country, Vietnam.

In Vietnam, there are children who grow up in orphanages without the support of a family to help them prepare for the future. The first year of my life, I lived in one of these orphanages in Vung Tau. My fate changed in 2009 when my parents brought me home to the United States. While I may not remember much about that time, I still feel a strong connection to my first home and this family of children.

To remain connected to the orphanage, in 2010 my parents worked with a US-based non-profit, Kidspire, to support starting their program in Vung Tau. Kidspire partners with orphanages throughout Vietnam to establish classrooms which provide high-quality educational programs, project-based STEM learning opportunities, social-emotional learning, college scholarships, and career training for the underserved orphan community. The Kidspire classroom at the orphanage is a source of inspiration, a place to feel safe and build confidence, and a connection to the world beyond the orphanage. The caring teachers serve as mentors and role models who empower the children to have big dreams about their futures. This support is making an impact and changing lives!

I saw this firsthand in 2019 when I was able to travel back to Vietnam to meet the Kidspire teachers and the students in Vung Tau. I also met Duyen, who had recently aged out of the orphanage at 18. Through Kidspire, she received a full scholarship to attend 4 years at a university in Ho Chi Minh City and is now a nurse working in Japan. Kidspire empowered her to learn and to follow her dreams. Without the education and opportunity Kidspire provided, this would not have been possible.

Duyen’s story and my time visiting the orphanage significantly impacted my perspective about the power of education and the privilege of attending college. As a junior in high school, I am now busy planning for college, studying for SATs, and looking forward to forging my future. To share the same opportunities I have with a fellow student in the Vung Tau Kidspire program, I have started this fundraiser for a full scholarship through Kidspire for room, board, and tuition for 4 years at a university. I will be traveling to Vietnam in May to present the scholarship and to work with the students for a day on a STEM project in the Vung Tau classroom. In the Fall of 2026, when I enter class on my first day of college, halfway around the world another student will be doing the same!

To raise $14,000 for the scholarship, 100% of every car detail I do thru my detailing service, Wyatt Wash It, will go to the scholarship fund. I’m booking appointments now. If you live farther away, I would be grateful if you would consider a contribution to make another kid’s dream come true!

Your donation goes directly to Kidspire which is a 501c3 not for profit organization.

Information on Kidspire:

https://www.kidspire.org/vietnam

Follow the fundraiser and my journey to Vietnam on Instagram: @wyatt.wash.it