SCDI presents to readers the outstanding news of October 2025.
Breaking the Cycle advances to the Final Round of the Human Act Prize 2025
From more than 160 entries, Breaking the Cycle has advanced to the Final Round of the Human Act Prize 2025, organized annually by Nhân Dân Newspaper to honor impactful and sustainable community initiatives.
Developed by SCDI since 2021, Breaking the Cycle fosters an ecosystem of support that helps disadvantaged children stay in school, develop self-reliance, and break the cycle of poverty.
This recognition affirms the program’s lasting impact and the collective efforts of SCDI’s partners, donors, and collaborators who continue to walk alongside communities toward brighter futures.
Learn more about the Breaking the Cycle program featured in the Human Act Prize Community Initiative Library here.
Photo: SCDI's Breaking the Cycle program advances to the Final Round of Human Act Prize 2025.
A joyful Mid-Autumn celebration with children in the Breaking the Cycle program
To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, children in the Breaking the Cycle program joined SCDI members for cheerful and meaningful gatherings.
The children enjoyed a variety of activities, including games, lion dances, mooncake sharing, and making lanterns from recycled materials. Their bright smiles and excitement filled the celebration with warmth and joy.
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Photo: In Ho Chi Minh City, the children enjoyed a lion dance performance.
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Photo: The children in Hanoi also enjoyed a warm and cheerful Mid-Autumn celebration.
These activities not only brought happiness to the children but also reflected the care and companionship of the community, coming together to ensure every child could experience a Mid-Autumn Festival full of love and connection.
Read more about this activity here.
SCDI participates in the BIS Hanoi International Festival 2025
On October 4, SCDI joined the British International School Hanoi’s annual International Festival for the second time as a community partner. The event celebrates diversity and togetherness among students, teachers, and parents.
At the festival, SCDI introduced the Breaking the Cycle program, sharing stories of supporting children in vulnerable circumstances and promoting equal opportunities for all.
Photo: SCDI's booth at the event.
SCDI sincerely thanks BIS Hanoi for its continued partnership and commitment to building a compassionate and inclusive community for children in need.
Read more about this activity here.
REGENERATE: Shared Learning and a Continuing Journey
The REGENERATE community session brought together members working with people affected by HIV, TB, malaria, and other vulnerable groups to share experiences, identify barriers, and explore practical ways to make prevention, treatment, and care more accessible for all.
Each story and reflection helped shape new perspectives, empowering participants to become bridges between communities and the health system, and to inspire change toward more inclusive and equitable healthcare.
Photo: Participants discussing community support activities during the session.
SCDI sincerely thanks APCASO, L’Initiative – Expertise France, and all partners and participants for their collaboration and continued commitment to this shared journey.
Read more about this activity here.
Kotex Vietnam partners with SCDI to support women and girls affected by floods in Thai Nguyen
In the aftermath of the recent floods in Thai Nguyen, as life slowly returned to normal, practical support continued to reach those in need. With a shared commitment to women’s health and dignity, Kotex Vietnam partnered with SCDI to deliver 13,000 packs of sanitary pads to 6,000 women and girls affected by the disaster.
The supplies were handed over to the Thai Nguyen Provincial Women’s Union and students of the University of Education – Thai Nguyen University for distribution in the hardest-hit areas.
Photo: Sanitary pads delivered to the University of Education – Thai Nguyen University for distribution to female students affected by the floods.
Photo: Sanitary pads from Kotex delivered to the Thai Nguyen Provincial Women’s Union for distribution to women affected by the floods.
In times of crisis, essential needs like food, clean water, and shelter often take priority, while menstrual hygiene remains an overlooked but vital part of recovery. By addressing these needs, the partnership between SCDI and Kotex Vietnam highlights compassion in action – ensuring that women and girls receive not only material support but also care and respect for their health and well-being.
SCDI sincerely thanks Kotex Vietnam for standing in solidarity with affected communities and for helping restore comfort and dignity to women and girls during difficult times.
Read more about this activity here:
- Kotex Vietnam joins hands with SCDI: Sharing care and compassion
SCDI joins the GREASE network to promote a sustainable One Health approach
SCDI has officially joined CIRAD’s GREASE network (Management of Emerging Epidemic Risks in Southeast Asia), a regional platform connecting research institutes, universities, and civil society partners across Southeast Asia to address health challenges through the One Health lens.
At the 13th Annual GREASE Meeting (October 27–29), SCDI shared its community-based perspectives and explored new collaborations to strengthen prevention and response to emerging infectious diseases.
Photo: Delegates at the meeting
This partnership reinforces SCDI’s commitment to linking public health, environment, and sustainable development, working together for a healthier and more resilient future.
Read more about this activity here.
SCDI expands mobile TB screening with local health partners
Within the Global Fund TB Project, SCDI collaborated with the National TB Control Program and provincial Lung Hospitals to organize mobile TB screening campaigns in Nghe An and Gia Lai provinces.
In Nghe An, over 3,500 residents were screened, with 350 cases showing lung abnormalities detected at 12 commune health stations. In Gia Lai, 1,829 people were examined and 15 TB cases were identified among high-risk groups, including ethnic minority communities.
Photo: Mobile TB screening session in Dien Chau, Nghe An
Photo: Mobile TB screening session in Gia Lai
These activities strengthen early TB detection, promote timely treatment, and raise awareness about respiratory health. Together with the Community System to End Tuberculosis (CSET) network, SCDI will continue expanding mobile screening models nationwide to move closer to the goal of ending TB in Vietnam.
Read more about this activity here.
SCDI joins SMART Recovery regional facilitator training
On October 29, 2025, members of SCDI’s Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment Program participated in the SMART Recovery Regional Facilitator Training, which brought together professionals from eight Asian countries to promote evidence-based and stigma-free recovery support.
The training introduced the SMART Recovery model, emphasizing self-awareness, self-management, and peer support in the recovery journey.
Photo: SCDI joins SMART Recovery regional facilitator training
Through this participation, SCDI strengthens its team’s professional capacity, shares community-based experiences from Vietnam, and contributes to advancing science-based, empowering recovery approaches across the region.
Read more about this activity here.
SCDI collaborates with Dak Lak CDC to strengthen dengue prevention
Under the DENGAGE Project, SCDI is partnering with the Dak Lak Center for Disease Control (CDC) to conduct a serological survey and Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) assessment on dengue prevention in 10 communes, engaging 1,650 participants.
A consensus meeting held on October 31, 2025, with representatives from the Department of Health, CDC leaders, and local health officials marked the project’s official launch and reaffirmed the collective commitment to proactive dengue control.
Photo: SCDI collaborates with Dak Lak CDC to strengthen dengue prevention
Through research and community engagement, the project aims to identify practical, locally tailored solutions to improve early detection, outbreak preparedness, and community participation, contributing to a healthier and more resilient future against dengue.
