Project No. 14 – Construction of dormitory rooms in Che Tao, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province in the north of Vietnam

Project No. 14 – Construction of dormitory rooms with complete equipment in Che Tao, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province in the north of Vietnam

Status May, 2018: On May 08th, 2018, the LOAN Foundation team (LOAN Stiftung, Isabelle Müller and Corinna Buchholz) visited at one’s own expense and not at the expense of the foundation the village Che Tao, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province in the north of Vietnam.

Mu Cang Chai is a poor district in the mountainous Yen Bai province. Wide mountain slopes are everywhere and weather conditions are extreme. Over 60,000 people live here, with 91% belonging to the ethnic minority Mong.

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Road conditions are extremely difficult. Schools, medical service and even electricity are still scarce goods. The rate of poverty is 71%. Living here is hard. Che Tao is the most remote commune with the greatest difficulties in the entire Mu Cang Chai district. It is located 35 kilometres away from the district’s centre and the terrain makes it hard to reach. The primary and secondary schools in Che Tao have 2 school sites in the commune and in the centre of the district II, with 437 pupils in total, of which 224 are semi-boarding pupils.

Beginning of 2018, support came amongst others from the Vu A Dinh Foundation who financed a building (semi-boarding house) and a toilet. The project was completed in April 2018 and is of great importance for the children. However, a second building is needed (approx. 170 square metres) with sleeping room and furniture for 40 additional children. Many of the children attending first to fifth grade therefore have to walk up to 4 kilometres by foot (one way) every day, many of them barefooted because their parents are too poor to afford sandals. The long road to school remains a constant danger for these children.

We used plans and cost estimates to determine what is needed together with our Vietnamese partners (the Vu A Dinh Foundation, whose Chairwoman is Madame Truong My Hoa, Former Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and the People’s Committee of Mu Cang Chai district, represented by Mister Vu Tien Duc). Looking towards the future, the village Che Tao is in need of the following:

1 x semi-boarding house (5 rooms), 170 square metres – overall funds needed: approx. 12,832.00 USD (or approx. 11,160.00 €)

1 x labor: approx. 3,090.00 USD (or approx. 2,690.00 €)

1 x transport of the materials: approx. 2,411.00 USD (or approx. 2,096.00 €)

1 x complete equipment (beds, blankets, pillows, mattresses, curtains) for 40 children – overall funds needed: approx. 3,420.00 USD (or approx. 2,974.00 €)

1 x transport of the equipment: approx. 439.00 USD (or approx. 382.00 €)

Overall funds needed: approx. 22,192.00 USD (or approx. 19,300.00 €)

Duration of construction: approx. 4 months

The building should be built with wood, due to the remote location of Che Tao and the arduous, dangerous journey. The wood will we purchased directly from local wood traders. We should receive reports with pictures and videos at least once a month. Constructing this building would alleviate the suffering of many children. Not only would they be safe during the week, but they would also have much better living and learning conditions, promoting equal opportunities compared to children from other provinces in Vietnam.

As a turnover foundation, the LOAN Foundation (LOAN Stiftung) can provide help directly. We would like to carry out this project, but are dependent on every financial donation. We remain optimistic that we will be able to collect the necessary funds.

In cooperation and in continuous contact with our Vietnamese partners, we will as always supervise and guide this project personally and on site. We will report on the progress regularly.

We would be delighted if you were to provide us with moral and financial support in this endeavor. Thank you very much!

Status July, 2018: The LOAN Foundation (LOAN Stiftung) has got enough donations in order to realize this project. The according contract is signed. The children of Che Tao are very happy to get soon new boarding rooms!:)

Status August, 2018: We get first pictures and videos from Che tao. Heavy rainfalls consistently slow down the progress. The construction material reaches the site by foot or by motorcycle.

Status October 2018: The construction works make good progresses. The wooden framework is finished and has gotten a roof. According to schedule the dormitory rooms will be officially handed over on December, 2018.

Status December, 2018: On December 11th, 2018 our team (Isabelle Müller, Lukas Funk) inaugurated officially the new building with a handover ceremony. Now about 40 children have a safe boarding house. We wish the children and the teachers of Che tao all the best for the future!:)

Status September 2019: New pictures and videos from Mu Cang Chai reach us on September 23rd, 2019. The boarding house is well used and relief the lives of the children coming from far away. We are happy!:)