Opening opportunities

It’s not unusual for a child in Vietnam to be discouraged from attending school because the school is too far away or his or her parents doesn’t understand the value of an education. Even those who do show up for class are met by a shortage of classrooms and inadequate sanitation facilities. In Hoa Binh and Bac Kan, we are trying to change the face of education by constructing new schools and classrooms.  Training teachers about child-focused activities is also part of our education initiative in Vietnam and as a result, teachers are reporting improvement in children’s motivation and classroom skills.

Children cannot reach their full potential, however, if they are not being raised within a safe and healthy environment. Our campaigns encourage awareness and advocacy of children’s rights, including those of disabled children, within Vietnam’s communities. We also advocate for children at the local government level to help influence policies that impact the healthy development of children over the age of three.

In Vietnam, there is roughly one health center for every 6,000 people. In the areas where we work, much has been done to improve post-natal health care to mothers and their children, both in the area of education and quality of and resources available to existing health care centers. Parents and children are learning about nutrition as well as health risks such as HIV/AIDS with a focus on preventative tactics.  However, more health care centers and additional services are desperately needed. We are mobilizing local resources to support clinical services as well as promote health-related educational campaigns.  This includes reproductive health programs for adolescents.

The Vietnamese people also need easier access to clean water and sanitation facilities. We are achieving this mission by establishing water treatment facilities, water systems and wells in communities. Our continuous education efforts also teach people to practice good personal hygiene to maintain their health.

We know that if we can give the Vietnamese people better ways to support themselves, we can create self-sufficiency in this country. By providing training on cultivation and working to improve local irrigation systems, we strive to increase harvests and help communities feed their families. Training farmers on animal rearing leads to larger livestock herds. We are also expanding access to financial and technical services through the development of savings and credit programs.

We are giving the people of Vietnam greater opportunities for education and health and supporting their families. Help us ensure a more promising tomorrow for Vietnam.