Project No. 42 – Construction of a two-floor-boarding house with sanitary facilities for at least 160 children in Duc Xuan, Bắc Quang District (Ha Giang Province)

Status September, 2022:

In 2022, after more than two years of corona restrictions, our German team finally had the opportunity to travel to Vietnam again in March (Isabelle Müller and Corinna Buchholz), June (Isabelle Müller), September (Isabelle Müller) and December (Isabelle Müller). We first visited the province of Ha Giang together with our Vietnamese team in September. In addition to older projects, we also visited 3 boarding houses that we had recently realized and handed over online during the Corona period. We also met old and new scholarship holders personally. This trip was also a good opportunity to visit Duc Xuan (Bắc Quang District). In 2021, the primary and secondary school of this commune had asked us for help. Our Vietnamese team was on site at that time and had sent an initial report to us in Germany. Now I (Isabelle Müller) was able to get my own picture of the situation on site.

Bắc Quang is a rural district of Ha Giang Province in north-eastern Vietnam and is located about 60 km from the city of Ha Giang. It is bordered by Ham Yen District (Tuyen Quang Province) to the east, Luc Yen District (Yen Bai Province) to the south, Quang Binh District to the west and Vi Xuyen District to the north. Bắc Quang has two cities and 21 communes (Quang Minh, Tân Thành, Tân Quang, Tân Lập, Việt Vinh, Hùng An, Đồng Yên, Đông Thành, Vĩnh Phúc, Vĩnh Hảo, Tiên Kiều , Viứt Hồng, Kim Ngồng Thượng Bình, Vô Điếm, Bằng Hành, Hữu Sản, Liên Hiệp, Đức Xuân, Đồng Tâm and Đồng Tiến).

The total area covers 1,104.01 km2. About 28,535 households or 123,349 inhabitants live there, divided into 19 ethnic minorities. Among them, the Tay minority amounts about 50%.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Völker_Vietnams

Duc Xuan is a commune in Bắc Quang district about 45 km far from the district center. It covers a natural area of 6,255.09 ha, of which 5,341.18 ha are used for agriculture, accounting for 85.39%. The soil is fertile. The temperatures there are 2 or 3 degrees lower than elsewhere in the district. The harvests usually fall up to 2 weeks later than usual. The commune’s potential lies in the cultivation of medicinal plants and fodder, in raising cattle and developing tourism.

The commune counts 536 households with 2,338 inhabitants from 5 ethnic groups . Over 50% of all households are poor. There are 2 schools in total (1 kindergarten, 1 primary and secondary school)

Duc Xuan Primary and Secondary School is about 45 km far from the center of Bắc Quang District. Currently in 2022 the school has 442 students in a total of 16 classes (grade 1 to grade 9). Of these, 292 are primary school students and 149 are secondary school students. 50% of all students belong to the Dao ethnic minority, the remaining 50% are Tay or Nung. The school also has 5 sub-schools in some remote villages.

The furthest distance from home to school for a child is 12 km (about 3 hours walk) and the closest distance is 3 km. Currently in 2022, the school has 250 students who would like to overnight at school during the week (it is expected to be 320 students in the next school year), however the school does not have enough dormitories for them. Only about 150 students are allowed to stay in the dormitories on the school premises (those who live far away from school and live in very difficult family circumstances). All other children have to walk home every day.

There are only 4 toilets on the school premises, far too few for the large number of children.

Looking towards the future, Duc Xuan commune is in need of following:

  • 1 new boarding house (2-floor-building with 10 bedrooms) for at least 160 students
  • Sanitary facilities (1 for boys, 1 for girls) and showers (1 for boys, 1 for girls)

Total amount needed: USD 120.919,19

As a turnover foundation, the LO-ANH 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 December, 2022: On December 7th, 2022, I (Isabelle Müller) and my Vietnamese team visited Duc Xuan commune again. We handed over some new books to the children before signing the contract for this project. We are still looking for sponsors who will support us financially with its realization. The building with sanitary facilities should be completed before the start of the next school year. We will report.

Status January/February, 2023: The groundbreaking ceremony in Duc Xuan took place on January 9th, 2023. “Mother Earth” was asked for permission and protection during a small ceremony. The vegetable beds were moved, the first earthworks were carried out and building materials were brought to the construction site. In February, 2023, after the Tet holidays, the foundations were made and the first walls were built.

Status March/April, 2023: During the months of March/April, 2023 we received many pictures and videos from Duc Xuan. The construction work is progressing well under good weather conditions. The two-floor-building and the sanitary facilities are taking shape. We are confident that the project will be finished on schedule this early autumn 2023 and we will continue reporting.

Status June, 2023: On June 6th, 2023, I (Isabelle Müller) and my Vietnamese team visited the construction site in Duc Xuan. The construction workers and our architect were very happy about my visit. All work is progressing well. We are confident that the new boarding house with the sanitary facilities will be finished before the next school year 2023-2024 begins.

Status July/August, 2023: We receive regularly new pictures and videos from Duc Xuan. The construction work is nearing completion. All walls were plastered and painted well. Windows and doors were installed. The sanitary facilities are also finished. The forecourt is now being concreted so that everything stays nice and clean. The teachers are committed and contribute by cementing. We have planned the official handover of the project for the beginning of September 2023.

Status September, 2023: On September 6th, 2023, just in time for the new school year 2023-2024, the official handover of the new boarding house with equipment and sanitary facilities in Duc Xuan took place with our German and Vietnamese team, just after the official inauguration of new classrooms built by the government. Both buildings are strong and look great. Some students and teachers organized a wonderful program at this important occasion. Now the children have safe, weatherproof buildings while they stay at school. We wish the children, the teachers and Duc Xuan commune much success for the future!:)