For the past 50 years, the indigenous people of the Central Highlands have witnessed a horrific change: the forest — the environment, the soul of the indigenous people — has been destroyed; land — the only source of livelihood for the people — has been invaded and pillaged.
Where can you go, Central Highlands? Where can you go, young friends? Where can you go? Where can you go? To where can you go?
In 1998, the first crew of  Việt Tộc Foundation came to the Central Highlands. Since the early days, Việt Tộc has chosen a very bold path: the path of education. This is the very right path. Only education can help the indigenous people of the Central Highlands advance in their life. Only education can help the indigenous people of the Central Highlands protect themselves from being stripped of their land and from being annihilated. Only education can help the ethnics groups of the Central Highlands to integrate into the global world.
Nonetheless, this is also a very arduous path. From ancient times, in the thinking and culture of the indigenous people of the Central Highlands, there has never been a concept of schooling in their learning. Holding a pen and carrying a briefcase to school is strange to them.

Moreover, the path to education is very longwinded; it requires a lot of investments and efforts. It is much easier to help by giving a kilogram of rice or a packet of instant noodles. Once given, the results can be noticed immediately. However, the result of investing in education sometimes take 15 to 16 years.
There are benefactors, who have not seen the impact of their generosity before they passed away. Because of the untiring efforts of Việt Tộc for the past 12 years, today, the indigenous people of the Central Highlands have changed a lot.
The word “hram hrá” (study) is no longer a strange word, but has become a familiar term. Nowadays, most indigenous people used this term a lot, especially the young adults. Young people have learned to appreciate learning and begun to have perseverance in their learning.
Many families have regarded the education of their children as the most important matter. There are more students coming from indigenous ethnic groups in the Central Highlands, and more are achieving.
They are also prepared for great competition and integration. You cannot only credit Việt Tộc, but also many other various individuals and organizations, and mainly from the progress the indigenous people of the Central Highlands made. Though, the merits of Việt Tộc cannot be denied, Việt Tộc not only gives money, but also is in communion with the people.
Members of Việt Tộc have visited each village and each house on stilts. They eat and sleep there, talk to the elderly, and play with the young to inspire their learning. In particular, Việt Tộc has organized a wide network of collaborators across many regions, villages, and groups. Mainly, these active collaborators help the children learn and changed the villagers’ perception about learning.
Thank you Việt Tộc, for lighting the fire of knowledge and bring hope to the indigenous people of the Central Highlands. The sky in the Central Highlands was still very dark, but the first rays of sunshine had arrived. The hearts of the indigenous people of the Central Highlands are still bewildered, but the rays of hope had been lit. The young indigenous of the Central Highlands have a fire of hope, a path to dash forward, and a destination to reach … Thank God! Thank everyone! And, thank you, Việt Tộc!
Entering the new school year of 2011.

Fr. Manh Niêm

Courtesy Translated by: Diệu Trâm