Who are we?
“Chalk” represents the traditional Vietnamese education, where chalk is used instead of markers and whiteboards. “Road” embodies the pathway, whether it refers to majors or occupation. So “Chalk Road” is a metaphor for a pathway that goes beyond traditional textbook learning, embracing individual students' futures.
The story of Chalk Road
... and the founder's
Bui Gia Khanh Pham
I once adopted a rose-colored view of the world that most people have access to an education like mine, until a short documentary popped up in my Facebook feed and burst that misconception. A 33-year-old man from an ethnic minority group was trapped in a drug trafficking supply chain. He was too kind and trusting to detect the scent of scam, to refuse the strangers’ “beg for help”, to know what is inside the box which eventually confines him behind the bars.
Stirred and obliged, I truly believe that education can give way to brighter possibilities. Now a 2022 YOUNGA delegate, speaker of Global Goals Week, and a self-volunteered member in various local projects through which I gain firsthand experience of the lives of the disadvantaged children, I become more insightful, empathetic and thorough about their needs and struggles. Chalk Road is what I have incubated for months and is the manifestation of my want to give back to the less privileged.
Chalk Road all begins with hoping to "bring education closer" to the children. It is hard, for it is common to undergo an arduous 10km everyday with a rumbling stomach, cross rivers and dip mud to be sewed with seeds of knowledge. Financial conditions, family structures, old-fashioned stereotypes, low quality institutional environments further deter these children from school.
This is where Chalk Road comes in to ease the physical and mental difficulty in their journey to obtain knowledge, and to truly make education accessible.
What we do
Chalk Road is a student-led project committed to fostering a sustainable and holistic education in the mountainous regions of Vietnam. Recognising how human trafficking and early marriages, especially at the borders, often stem from inadequate education and a generally lower sense of self-worth among rural children, Chalk Road tackles this overlooked aspect of education. Therefore, we focus specifically on nurturing lifelong personal values and sustainable skills that transcend formal academic settings.
Our Approach
#1
Workshops
Chalk Road emphasizes a hands-on approach by conducting direct surveys with students and teachers through onsite visits. This process helps the team understand the current circumstances and challenges of both students and teachers in the area. Based on these insights, various workshop ideas are developed. Volunteers are recruited and trained to serve as "workshop facilitators," ensuring effective mutual support. Furthermore, experts in career counseling or school psychology are invited to inspire students, with content tailored to local culture and the preferences of school management.
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#2
Donations &
Fund-raising
Chalk Road recognizes that achieving significant social impact requires effective fundraising from both organizations and individuals. Therefore, our Founder successfully applied for the Nord Anglia Social Impact Fund, securing crucial financial support. This strategic move marks a pivotal moment for the initiative. Additionally, our Founder actively builds a global partnership network, promoting Chalk Road at key forums such as the Learning Planet Festival and UNESCO Partnership Incubator in Paris, the ECOSOC Forum in New York, and the UN Summit of the Future (UNGA) in New York. Scholarships for academic performance and talents are also awarded to students in participating schools, emphasizing the importance of sustained engagement through return visits to inspire and support students.
#3
English programs
Chalk Road collaborates with several NGOs to implement remote English teaching programs for students. This initiative includes guiding students on how to utilize resources provided by Chalk Road, such as computers and smart TVs, to enhance their learning and practice language skills. Through these activities, Chalk Road aims to create a meaningful and lasting impact on the educational landscape in Vietnam's mountainous regions, fostering student confidence and skills.
Our Core Team
Bringing holistic education. Nurturing lifelong values. Advancing the Global Goals.
Our Project Advisor
Ms. Nguyen Khanh Linh
Young SEA Leaders Initiative Academic Fellow, Project Manager at Hope Box, Founder of FemaLEAD- VN Young Women Leadership
Our Roadmap
Launched in late 2022, we are working to establish collaborations and partnerships, which will be followed by fundraising projects that simultaneously spread awareness about the situation in the mountainous areas of Vietnam. Our roadmap outlines the key milestones that guide our initiatives, ensuring we effectively address the educational needs of underserved communities. By following this roadmap, Chalk Road aims to create a meaningful and lasting change in the educational landscape of Vietnam's mountainous regions.
01
Advocate in YOUNGA
Date: September to October 2022
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Participate in weekly Working Group meetings with our Working Group Leaders
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Contribute to discussions around key issues and ways to take action
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Represent the voices and ideas of young people with your lived experiences
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Assist in conducting research and drafting policy recommendations for the 2022 Youth Delegate Communiqué
02
Advocate during Global Goals Week 22'
Aligned with our first mission, we are chosen to speak during Global Goals Week about our organization. We actively emphasize the current local challenges that children encounter and promote solutions & collaboration.
03
Awardee of Social Impact Grant by Nord Anglia
Date: December 15, 2023
Chalk Road is endorsed by Nord Anglia Education and has received a $9000 grant since December 2023 to support our work towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
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04
Finalist of Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge '24
Finalist of the Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge | Based on the model of Chalk Road Initiative
05
Speaker at Learning Planet Festival
Our Founder, Pham Bui Gia Khanh, presented the Chalk Road Project at the Learning Planet Festival, highlighting its objectives and potential impact on education and community development.
06
Speaker at the ECOSOC Youth Forum Side Event
Date: April 18, 2024
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1 of 3 students honored to have spoken at the ECOSOC Youth Forum Side Event 2024 about Chalk Road Initiative and how it has impacted its local community
07
Speaker at UNGA, UNESCO Youth Leadership Forum, New York
Date: September 20-21, 2024
A remarkable journey leading up to our founder Pham Bui Gia Khanh’s participation in the UNGA and UNESCO Youth Leadership Forum in New York on September 20-21, 2024!
