After nearly five years of implementation in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hai Phong, the “Breaking the Cycle” program initiated by the Center for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI) has officially expanded to Gia Lai province. This marks a new step in supporting children from disadvantaged families to stay in school and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

Continuing the journey with a strong community foundation in Gia Lai

Gia Lai is a province where SCDI has worked for many years through malaria, TB, and dengue prevention programs, with the active participation of the CMAT community network and local partners.

Building on this foundation, Breaking the Cycle is now being implemented in Krong Pa and Ia Pa districts, focusing on expanding learning opportunities, vocational training, and decent employment for young people, while also improving the health and wellbeing of women and young children — especially during the first 1,000 days of life, a critical period for a child’s physical and cognitive development.

A comprehensive and sustainable intervention model

Unlike single-focus interventions, Breaking the Cycle aims to build a multi-dimensional ecosystem of support where education, health, life skills, and livelihoods are interconnected.

The program not only helps children stay in school and complete their studies, but also creates career pathways for youth, strengthens knowledge on reproductive health and life skills, and builds resilience in a rapidly changing socio-economic environment.

All activities are grounded in the community, implemented by community members with support from local authorities, social organizations, and businesses, moving toward one shared goal: ensuring no one is left behind.

Breaking the Cycle’s selection for the final round of the Human Act Prize 2025 is a meaningful recognition of the team’s persistent efforts and a testament to the program’s effectiveness and scalability.

Its expansion to the Central Highlands shows that Breaking the Cycle can adapt and grow across diverse settings, from major cities to remote and rural areas where access to education, employment, and social welfare remains a challenge.

From the community, by the community, for the community

With its community-led approach, Breaking the Cycle is more than a development project — it is a shared journey of creating opportunities and hope.

From helping a child return to school, to supporting a young person in securing stable employment, to ensuring that a mother receives proper prenatal care, every small step contributes to breaking cycles of poverty, disadvantage, and inequality, moving communities closer to holistic and sustainable growth.