Project No. 8 – Extension of the elementary school in Vo Thau Chai, Hoang Su Phi district in the north of Vietnam
Project No. 8 – Extension of the elementary school in Vo Thau Chai, Hoang Su Phi district in the north of Vietnam
Status June 2017: On June 20, 2017 the LOAN Foundation team (LOAN Stiftung) (Isabelle Müller, Corinna Buchholz and Werner Huemer) visited (at one’s own expense and not at the expense of the foundation) the village Vo Thau Chai, Chien Pho commune, Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province in the north of Vietnam.
Chien Pho commune was established 1964 and is located 12 kilometers west of the center of Hoang Su Phi district. The economic development of this area lags behind, due to its geographical location. The commune encompasses a total of 30,095 hectares and is composed of 10 villages: 751 households (3648 inhabitants) from 4 ethnic minorities live here: Nung, Mong, Tay and Kinh.
The Nung and Kinh minorities account for 92% together. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_people). The population’s level of education is low. Each minority maintains its own culture and traditions. All minorities live together closely and peacefully.
There is a lack of rooms to provide and ensure age-appropriate and full-day schooling. At the moment, some pupils have to walk to Chien Pho every day (6 kilometers) to attend lessons. The others are taught locally, in the common kitchen of Vo Thau Chai village.
In the 2016/2017 academic year, 33 children were registered at the elementary school. For the 2017/2018 academic year, at least 43 children are expected.
Through the construction of a new building, the children would not have to take the long and dangerous path to the school in Chien Pho anymore to attend lessons. Instead, they would have a local and age-appropriate access to education. With at least an average or even superior level of education, the pupils would be able to keep up with other children of the same age coming from regions with a better standing. They could attend high school and increase their chances for a better future. In addition, the extension of the elementary school would secure jobs and make it more attractive for teachers to give lessons and live in remote areas. The families and community would also be relieved through this new and permanent, local infrastructure. Poverty would also be combatted.
Small transporters would deliver the construction materials until shortly before Vo Thau Chai. Mopeds would bring it into the village.
Together with our Vietnamese partners, we used plans and cost estimates to determine what is needed. Looking towards the future, the village of Vo Thau Chai is in need of the following:
1 x building (2 classrooms and 1 teachers’ room), 26,808.00 USD (25,054.00 €)
1 x sanitary facility with water tank, 3,797.00 USD (3,548.00 €)
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 September 2017: On September 13, 2017 a two-person team of the LOAN foundation (LOAN Stiftung) (Isabelle Müller and Corinna Buchholz) visited (at one’s own expense and not at the expense of the foundation) the village Vo Thau Chai in Chien Pho commune. Heavy rains during the past months had worsened the road conditions. We parked our minibus and continued with an off-road vehicle, which the commune provided for us for the last, difficult section of the road. However, we walked the last 2 kilometers on foot, because even an off-road vehicle had no chance of reaching our destination safely. School started on September 05, 2017. Additional desks and chairs were brought. As before, the pupils are taught in the village’s kitchen. The LOAN foundation (LOAN Stiftung) is still looking for suitable sponsors to realize this project. Vo Thau Chai is patient and we remain optimistic that we will soon be successful.
Status November 2017: On November 27, 2017 the team of the LOAN Foundation (LOAN Stiftung) (Isabelle Müller, Rebecca Müller and Stephan Müller – at one’s own expense and not at the expense of the foundation) arrived in Vo Thau Chai village, Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province, North Vietnam after a difficult journey. Thanks to a large donation scheduled for the start of 2018 from the company OLYMP Bezner KG, we were able to sign the contract for the realization of the entire project (No. 8). We are very happy and give our warmest thanks to OLYMP Bezner KG, also in the name of the children in North Vietnam! 🙂
Status December 2017: In December 2017 the population of Vo Thau Chai helped tearing the dilapidated building. Still remaining useful building material was selected and put on the side.
Status January 2018: The population prepared the construction site and leveled it out.
Status Middle of March 2018: After the Vietnamese New Year holidays that lasted until the middle of March 2018, the project goes on as expected. Before the start of construction a local priest held a rite with some sacrificial offerings. In the name of the whole villagers, he asked “Mother Earth and her holy spirits” for permission and blessing of the future building.
Status beginning of April 2018: Heavy rains in the last weeks have been hindering some material deliveries. Nevertheless the work is progressing well. The first walls of the future elementary school are standing. The site manager stays confident that the new building will be finished as planned in May 2018.
Status beginning of May 2018: On May 10th, 2018 our team of the LOAN Foundation (LOAN Stiftung) reached Vo Thau Chai (at one’s own expense and not at the expense of the foundation). With a wonderful ceremony with singing and dance performances under a great blue sky, the new fully equipped primary school was officially handed over. We wish the children of Vo Thau Chai success and happiness while learning and we all deeply thank the OLYMP-Bezner Foundation for helping us realize this project so successfully!:)
Status May, 2019: New pictures and a short video about the daily classes in Vo Thau Chai reach us on May 24th, 2019 and fill our hearts with immense joy. The new school is well used and kept in excellent shape. The steep hillside has been greened. The children and the teachers are happy.
Status September, 2021: School in Vo Thau Chai has started again. We have received new pictures of the daily life of the students. The new elementary school is well used. We are happy!:)
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