Youth initiative expands access to education and arts
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High school students in HCM City, Vietnam, launched Mind the GAP, an initiative that connects disadvantaged children with educational and artistic opportunities.
Beginning in 2023, the program has grown to include a network of students active in 10 countries and partnerships with over 25 non-governmental organisations worldwide. Cha Minseo, a student at Saigon South International School, founded the initiative after recognizing that a lack of opportunity, not talent, often holds back children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Mind the GAP focuses on raising awareness, expanding access, and empowering individuals by building pathways for learning and creative expression. The team develops tailored English and arts classes for schools, orphanages, and local non-profits, providing materials in both English and Vietnamese. They also established the International Young Arts Competition, “Our World”, which received 2,000 entries from young people aged 11 to 15 internationally.
The initiative funds its activities through grassroots fundraising efforts, having raised around VNĐ26 million (Vietnamese Dong) for materials and distribution. Mind the GAP plans to expand its international partnerships and create educational materials using student artwork, aiming to reach more children and broaden the impact of their work.
