On February 27 in Hanoi, the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the Center for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI) and the Loving Touch (Cham Yeu Thuong) Foundation was successfully held. The agreement marked an important first step in the two organizations’ partnership to advance community health.
Under the agreement, SCDI and the Loving Touch Foundation will collaborate to implement activities in Nghe An province. The partnership will focus on supporting children during the first 1,000 days of life in families facing difficult circumstances.
The first 1,000 days of life are a critical period for a child’s physical development, cognitive growth, and long-term health. Without adequate nutrition during this stage, children may face risks such as stunting, limited cognitive development, weakened immunity, and long-term impacts on learning and future livelihoods. In contrast, when children receive appropriate nutritional care early in life, they gain a stronger foundation for healthy development, greater learning opportunities, and improved chances to break cycles of poverty and illness.
With experience implementing programs related to maternal and child health, along with a dedicated network of staff and community members at the local level, SCDI has a deep understanding of local contexts, challenges, and needs. Building on this foundation, SCDI and the Loving Touch Foundation will work together to design interventions that are practical, feasible, and responsive to community needs.
In addition to providing nutritional support for mothers and children, planned activities will involve collaboration with the Women’s Union, local health services, and community outreach workers. These efforts aim to raise awareness while connecting families with reproductive health and primary healthcare services. This approach promotes comprehensive care, seeking not only to improve immediate nutritional conditions but also to build a foundation for communities to confidently care for and improve their health and quality of life.
The partnership with the Loving Touch Foundation plays an important role in ensuring that these activities can be implemented effectively and sustainably. Beyond providing resources, the collaboration reflects the value of shared value thinking, where businesses view social impact as part of their long-term development strategy and work alongside social organizations to create positive change for communities.
SCDI extends our sincere appreciation to the Loving Touch Foundation for their trust and partnership. The organization believes that this collaboration will help create more sustainable beginnings for many children, allowing them to grow up healthy, safe, and able to fully develop their potential.
