Livestock food processing ANCO Agriculture International Joint Stock Company gave away 87 scholarships worth over VND150 million ($7,200) to Agent Orange/dioxin-affected pupils in Dong Nai Province on the occasion of the start of the new school year on Sept 6. The recipients are dioxin victims or family members of dioxin victims such as sons, daughters, brothers and sisters attending primary and high schools in four districts Trang Bom, Cam My, Dinh Quan and Vinh Cuu. Since 2007, all dioxin-affected victims in the most-affected localities in Dong Nai have been supported with the scholarships while their family members must complete the previous academic semester in the top two rankings of A+ and A to be awarded the help for the subsequent period. Twice a year, ANCO extends help to dioxin affected school children at the beginnings of each semester. Total amount of donations to Agent Orange families in Dong Nai in 2011 was VND2.3 billion ($110,000) and the company has decided to almost double their donations for dioxin victims this year, up to VND4 billion. Besides giving gifts and scholarships in Dong Nai, ANCO has also built houses and helped dioxin victims in other provinces across the nation like Hoa Binh in the north, Quang Tri in the central region, and Tien Giang, Ben Tre, and Hau Giang. (tuoitrenews.vn Sept 6)
