In 2019, TranScience embarked on its first trip to Vietnam, a journey that would ultimately define the organization’s mission. For founders Rilina and Dylan, it was also their first visit to the country, offering a chance to connect with their cultural roots while confronting the stark differences between life in Vietnam and the United States.

While sightseeing provided opportunities to explore heritage, much of the trip centered on service. In local markets, the group distributed food to the homeless, an experience that underscored the need for broader support. It was during this time that the idea of expanding access to education began to take shape.

With the help of relatives, Rilina and Dylan visited My Hoa Pagoda, where they met children living with limited educational resources. Despite an initial language barrier, the visit sparked a plan to provide an English teacher for the students, recognizing how language skills could open new opportunities.

The encounter at My Hoa became the foundation for TranScience’s mission. By linking their own educational privileges with the needs of the children they met, Rilina and Dylan set out to create lasting change through access to learning.

TranScience volunteers with children and monks at My Hoa Pagoda, where donated mattresses allow everyone to share a single room for sleeping.