Bulgari and Celebrities on Behalf of Ethnic-Minority Children in Vietnam

Children of ethnic minority backgrounds in Vietnam, often located in decentralized areas, can face discrimination due to where they live and where they come from.

Statistically, these children score lower in testing and have higher dropout rates as compared to their peers, largely due to the fact that teachers are unable to teach them in the language they speak at home.

Bulgari’s celebrity ambassadors such as Singaporean actress Jeanette Aw, Malaysian actress-producer Debbie Goh, Thai DJ-entrepreneur Hattaya Wongkrachang, and Pham Huong, Miss Universe Vietnam 2015, travelled to meet of some of these children in person. Navigating hard-to-reach areas in the Dien Bien Province, through mountains and over rocky roads, they participated in a first-of-its-kind visit between Bulgari and Save the Children in Southeast Asia.

This summer, Bulgari and Save the Children will launch a bilingual educational program in Vietnam to assist ethnic minority children and their teachers. The program works to improve communication between teachers and second-language students, as well as their learning environment. Aided by a €200,000 donation from Bulgari, these children will have a better chance to reach their full potential, and attain the future they deserve.

To date, the successful sales of Bulgari’s custom-designed Save the Children collection has helped to raise €37 million (US$42 million) for the charity. These important donations have been able to reach 1 million beneficiaries in 29 countries across five continents, especially in areas where natural disasters, wars or conflict, marginalisation, disability or poverty can hinder the right to education and a better future. To honour the on-going philanthropic partnership, Bulgari created a new stunning new sterling silver and black ceramic bracelet for its Save the Children jewellery collection, to be launched in stores this month.

Celebrity friends of the brand Jeanette Aw, Debbie Goh, Hattaya Wongkrachang and Huong Pham spent a day learning from the ethnic minority children; often, these children live in harsh conditions, as they spoke of feeling left behind. By talking with the teachers and kids from the schools they visited, the ambassadors learnt about how Bulgari and Save the Children has helped ethnic minority children find ways to cope with their constraints.

Jeanette Aw, Singaporean Award-winning Actress

“I have always loved to reach out to children. On this visit to Dien Bien, I spent time with primary school children helping them to learn how to fold origami butterflies. It was an amazing moment when they folded their own butterfly and were thrilled with the result. Their smiles were priceless. They give me much more than what I give them. Save the Children, with the support of Bulgari, has shown how important it is to aid children and give them the love and support that they deserve.”

Debbie Goh, Malaysian Award-winning Actress-Producer

“To see their faces and their smiles – it was really amazing. It is really important to continue creating awareness for these children and to help meet their needs. Education is very important for their growth. I was very moved to see how Bulgari is supporting Save the Children in addressing a need that is so important but often forgotten for these marginalized children.”

Hattaya Wongkrachang, DJ and Entrepreneur

“It is important to continue supporting children, especially those who have been forgotten or left behind like the ones that I met. As a mother of twins, I know how important it is that these children feel loved. The support that Bulgari and Save the Children provides will help secure a better future for these children, equipping them with the right skills and lessons in schools.”

Huong Pham, Miss Universe Vietnam 2015

“It is my first time in Dien Bien and the trip has certainly opened up my eyes to see the needs of so many children from ethnic minorities in my own country. They deserve equal opportunities like every other child in Vietnam. Thank you Save the Children and Bulgari for such an important difference you are making in the lives of these children, and for giving them a fighting chance to survive and get equal opportunities in school and the future.”