Huoi Quang 1 is more than 10km from National Highway 4D, surrounded by mountains and hills. The road to this school lies precariously between high peaks and deep canyons. At first glance, the school is colorfully decorated with flags, flowers and toys.
“The children really enjoy going to school because they can play with toys and learn how to read and sing there,” said Thao Cua Do, a resident in Huoi Quang 1 village.
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A lesson at Huoi Quang 1 Kindergarten |
According to teacher Lo Thi Toan at Huoi Quang 1 Kindergarten, “Ma Thi Ho is a border area where most of its citizens are H’mong ethnic minorities. Because of difficult economic conditions, kindergartens in Ma Thi Ho were mainly makeshift houses which lacked learning facilities. Teachers and students had to study in the fiber-cement-roofed buildings that were scorching hot and dangerous in stormy season.”
What’s more, the dangerous and slippery route to the kindergartens resulted in a low school attendance rate. Some students only attended school for a short time and then dropped out. Since Defense Economic Unit 379 constructed a new school and supported 100,000 VND/month for each student’s lunch, the rate of regular school attendance has been maintained at 100%.
On learning that Huoi Quang 1 Kindergarten was in a cramped and dilapidated situation, Defense Economic Unit 379 coordinated with the local government to build a new school as a gift for the teachers and students. After 6 months of construction, the school was completed in their overwhelming joy.
With the fund of 1.8 billion VND, the school was solidly built with a total area of 232 sq.m, consisting of four classrooms, two teachers’ rooms and other facilities such as a mess hall, toilets, a concrete road, fences and a gate. Along with that, the education sector of Muong Cha district and local authorities supported the school with learning materials and toys, creating a pedagogical environment to attract students.
“The locals here are really grateful to Defense Economic Unit 379. From now on, the children will have more motivation to go to school to acquire basic knowledge before entering primary school,” said Thao A Pao, Head of Huoi Quang 1 village.
Political Commissar of the Defense Economic Unit 379 Senior Colonel Nguyen Van Huan shared, “Before implementing any economic project, we have to study everything carefully and consult with the local Party committees and authorities. Huoi Quang 1 Kindergarten is part of an economic project of the Ma Thi Ho village cluster, which has been built and put into operation for two years now. We are very happy that the State’s capital has been used for the right purposes, bringing practical effects to the local people. The military-resident relationship in border areas has been further tightened via these meaningful projects.”
Translated by Minh Hieu - Le Xuan - Anh Tuan - Le Na