Project No. 7 – Construction of a kindergarten in Hop Nhat, Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province 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 Hop Nhat, Tung San commune, Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province in the north of Vietnam.
Tung San commune was established 1960 and is located 20 kilometers west of the center of Hoang Su Phi district. The economic development and education in this area lag behind, due to the area’s geographical location. The commune encompasses a total of 4941.79 hectares and is composed of 8 villages: Hop Nhat, Phin Su, KhuTru San, Ta Chai, Tung Qua Lin, Chung Phung, Ta Leng and Thuong Ha.
621 households (3137 inhabitants) from 9 ethnic minorities live here: Clao (31%), Dao (24,3%), Nung (11,4%), H´Mong (25,4%), Tay (0,3%), Han (6,1%), La Chi (0,1%), Cao Lan (0,1%) and Kinh (1%).
The population’s level of education is low. Each minority maintains its own culture and traditions. All minorities live together closely and peacefully.
Hop Nhat is located at an altitude of approximately 1000 meters at Tay Con Linh Mountain. The roads are extremely narrow and go past very steep slopes. Falling rocks and mudslides are a regular occurrence. In good weather conditions, mopeds are the primary mode of transport. Otherwise everyone walks on foot. The current facility is dilapidated and is not being used due to safety concerns. Therefore, the kindergarten children have to walk to Tung San elementary school every day (minimum distance 2.5 kilometers, maximum distance 6 kilometers).
In the 2016/2017 academic year, the kindergarten counted 41 children of preschool age. For the 2017/2018 academic year, at least 50 children are expected.
Things that are needed most of all, besides a sanitary facility, are weatherproof classrooms, a kitchen, where children can sit together and interact while eating, and a teachers’ room. Should the respective building be constructed, the children would not have to take the long and dangerous path to the school in Tung San anymore to attend lessons. Instead, they would have regular, better and higher quality 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 construction of a new kindergarten would secure jobs and make it more attractive for teachers to give lessons and live in remote areas. The families and consequently the whole community would also be relieved. Poverty would be combatted effectively.
Transportation of the construction materials to Hop Nhat will probably be a challenge: mopeds bring most of the materials to Hop Nhat. Local workers will carry smaller loads on their backs. Everything is possible in Vietnam!…
Together with our Vietnamese partners, we used plans and cost estimates to determine what is needed. Looking towards the future, the village of Hop Nhat is in need of the following:
1 x building (2 classrooms and 1 teachers’ room), 22,650.00 USD (21,170.00 €)
1 x kitchen, 1 x sanitary facility with water tank, 10,118.00 USD (9,456.00 €)
1 x equipment, 1,500.00 USD (1,400.00 €)
Overall funds needed: approx. 34,268.00 USD (or approx. 32,026.00 €)
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 November 2017: On November 27, 2017 the team of the LOAN Foundation (LOAN Stiftung) (Isabelle Müller, Rebecca Müller and Stephan Müller) wanted to visit (at one’s own expense and not at the expense of the foundation) the village of Hop Nhat, Tung San commune, Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province, North Vietnam. However, due to difficult road conditions and safety reasons we had to cancel this trip. We still kept contact with the teachers and children from Hop Nhat by telephone. Photos and a video message were sent to us eventually (see photo gallery). Also, great news had reached us before: through a generous donation, the company TR electronic in Trossingen will finance the entire project at the start of 2018! 🙂 We are very happy and give our warmest thanks, also in the name of the children in North Vietnam! 🙂
Status middle of January, 2018: The construction works in Hop Nhat cannot start because of road works. The population of Hop Nhat stays isolated over a few days. A dilapidated bridge has been renewed. We gladly accept this delay, knowing that due to this we will have better road conditions during our next trip to Hop Nhat!:)
Status middle of February, 2018: Hop Nhat is accessible again. The road works are done. The population helped preparing and measuring the construction site. The fence has been demounted. All Vietnamese are now getting ready for the “Tet-celebration” (New Year), so that the construction works will go on at the beginning of March, 2018.
Status March, 2018: The population of Hop Nhat helps as far as possible tearing the dilapidated building. The roof is demounted by hand. Still useful material is put on the side. After heavy rains the workers are waiting for the excavator.
Status 04th April, 2018: The excavator reaches the construction site and tears the entire old school building. First fundaments are grubbed.
Status beginning of May 2018: On May 9th, 2018 the LOAN Foundation (LOAN Stiftung) team (Isabelle Müller, Corinna Buchholz) visited (at one’s own expenses and not at the expenses of the foundation) Hop Nhat. The roads have been improved and with good weather the site could be reached well. The new building is expanding and is happily expected to be operating before the new school year begins. The TV-News of Ha Giang Province accompanied us to the site and reported about the support of the LOAN Foundation (LOAN Stiftung) and TR electronics from Trossingen.
Status June, 2018: The roof panels are delivered and fixed. The new buildings (main building, kitchen and sanitary facilities) are to be plastered.
Status July, 2018: The main work is done. The floors have tiles and the walls are painted. The buildings have to be cleaned before delivery of the equipment.
Status October 2018: On October 04th, 2018 the LOAN Foundation (LOAN Stiftung) team (Isabelle Müller, Corinna Buchholz) visits (at one’s own expenses and not at the expenses of the foundation) Tung San commune, Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province. The completed project of Hop Nhat village is officially handed over with a wonderful ceremony. We wish the children and the teachers good luck and much success in their new school for the future!:)
Status March, 2019: On March 25th, 2019 the LOAN Foundation (LOAN Stiftung) team (Isabelle Müller, Corinna Buchholz) visits (at one’s own expenses and not at the expenses of the foundation) Tung San commune, Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province. The main sponsor of this wonderful project (TR Electronics from Trossingen) accompanies us in order to check it on their own. Finally they want to know what they have been donating for. Gladly!:) The impressions about the country and the people are awesome. The achieved result impresses our visitors a lot. TR Electronics is happy to have enabled the children of Hop Nhat a better access to education. So are we!:)
Status September, 2021: School in Hop Nhat has started again. We have received new pictures of the daily life of the students. The new Kindergarten is well used. We are happy!:)
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