A full year's report is now available for downloading for those wishing to see what activities/projects were carried out at 15/5 during 2007. Please click here >> to download (PDF 1MB)

Lights, decorations, singing, games, cake, drinks, presents AND a personal visit from Santa- 15/5 students were in for a huge treat this year as 15/5 threw them a party to remember on Christmas Eve. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and the kind contributions of many individuals, we were able to host the biggest Christmas party at 15/5, ever!

After a week-long of preparations, the show was ready to begin, kicking off with students dividing into teams to compete in games for prizes. Games included an obstacle race, karaoke, pin-the tail-on-the-donkey and guessing the number of candy in a jar game. Each team won at least one prize and all children participated with great excitement and enthusiasm. After the winners were announced the children were then entertained with some singing and performances by members of the English Club.

It was then time to eat! The children were offered a light meal, soft drinks, cookies and cake whilst they enjoyed some free time. But then came the moment they’ve all been waiting for, the word had got out that Santa has arrived at the school gate and he has lots of presents!

Lights were dimmed, heads were turning and then all the children rushed to the gate screaming as Santa came in on his cyclo. Santa sang and danced with the children and volunteers until it was time to hand out presents. Each child walked away happily with a backpack full of goodies such as milk, chocolates, a school t-shirt and some items to take home to their families .

The Christmas party was a huge success and 15/5 would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions ; Coca Cola, Nestle, Star Group Asia, and Unilever.

Also thank you to Amber, Matt, James, Sharon, Saskia, Andrew, Ryoko, Quyen, Lester, Alan and Lisette, Johanna, and all the members of the Planning Directorate at DCLG for their kind donations. Also many thanks to the staff and volunteers who gave up their time to organize this party. This event would not have happened without your support!

2007 Christmas Party Corporate Sponsors

15 May School put on a big celebration yesterday for the special occasion of Teacher’s Day-a day where teachers across the nation are acknowledged for their hard work and dedication and are shown appreciation by students, colleagues and the community. The celebration included the recognition of 5 outstanding teachers, performances by the children, and cooking and coloring-in contests.

Beside this celebration, 40
scholarships were awarded to students with difficult circumstances to encourage better education and marks the launch of the Scholarship Fund, supported by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). This is the first allocation of scholarships for 2007-2008 academic year and the total amount given out was VND 30,000,000. The next allocation of scholarships will be made in May next year. There are two rounds per year.

The students who have been awarded scholarships were recommended by teachers based on their circumstances and are spread out across 6 categories. These students will be monitored by the school in terms of their progress and will continue to help students who have shown their potentials.

The Scholarship Fund categories include talent development for elementary and secondary levels, vocational education, intermediate schools and university scholarships. Special presence included representatives from the People’s Committee of District 1, representatives from the Parents Committee, representatives from the Education Board and Mr James Okuley from SPE.

More about the scholarship Fund >>

For the past 2 weeks, there’s a buzz every Tuesday morning in the playground when students from grades 6-9 line up in their groups ready to start their English conversation classes. The sessions start with the volunteers and students singing and dancing along to the ‘Head, shoulders, knees and toes’ song and giggling and wriggling their bodies.

English Club is an interactive learning session which helps students to enhance their speaking, grammar and pronunciation skills as well as building self esteem through a range of interactive games and activities. Altogether there are about 40 students who participates, 15 dedicated volunteers who leads the sessions and the support of 3 staff members. Each session has a targeted vocabulary which is taken from the curriculum the students are currently studying in order to help students practice what they’ve learnt.

Each group of students are lead by a native English speaker and a bilingual volunteer and students are encourage to interact as much as they with the volunteers. So far there have been positive feedbacks from both students and volunteers of how much they enjoy these sessions. Ms Le and Ms Thanh (15 May school’s English teachers) have also commented on how the student’s pronunciation has improved although it has only been 2 weeks.

Most of the students are on a beginner level, however, with regular classes and practice, students will soon be able to have full English conversations with volunteers. Through the English Programme, 15 May School hopes that students will gain better self confidence and social skills and will have better employment prospects in the future.

If you would like to volunteer for English Club please register with John and Pene at info@15mayschool.org English Club is on every Tuesday mornings 9:30-10:30

For most of us living in the west, access to education and employment opportunities are vast. The same cannot be said for the millions of children in Vietnam who are struggling to finish their education and support themselves and their families. Depending on each child’s family circumstance, it is often a battle to finish high school. Finishing university is even tougher for the more disadvantaged children.  

Hoang Anh is a resident of 15 May who has just finished her high school education and has no found a stable job working at Le Pub (HCMC). She entered 15 May School with her younger brother in the year 2000 at the age of 11. Since entering the school Hoang Anh and her brother Minh has been a part of the Sunflower group where she has performed in circus and dance acts for various occasions.   

Hoang Anh's creativity also expands to painting and hair and beauty. She has been selling many of her paintings through the school and has studied various courses on nail art and hairdressing.  She wishes to have her own hairdressing salon one day but in the mean time she is supporting herself through working and saving up to do further studies in English and Hairdressing.  Hoanh Anh is also part of the 5 students who will be moving out next week as part of the Community Integration Programme. This programme aims for former residents of the school (18 years and older) to learn to live independently whilst still having some support from the school.  Upon completion of this programme, the students can become self sufficient young adults.  

If you would like to help Hoang Anh to further her studies (eg. a scholarship in Hairdressing) or support the students who are moving out with in-kind donations, please contact us:

Project Office on +84 8 837 7591 or contact

Yen (Child Sponsorship officer) on  0978 568 511.

15 May send its best wishes to the 5 students and congratulates Hoang Anh on recently winning 'Outstanding Employee Award' at Le Pub. Congrats Hoang Anh!