Phieng Pan is one of five schools of Can Nong Commune Kindergarten (Ha Quang District, Cao Bang Province), currently with 24 children from ethnic minorities. Although not the most remote school, Phieng Pan still faces difficulties in terms of facilities.
Having worked at the school for more than three years, teacher Nong Thi Nga still clearly remembers the image of the small shack with half-walls and a makeshift corrugated iron roof where teachers and students live together every day. Because it is made of corrugated iron, the classroom is not strong enough to withstand the harsh weather of the border area.
Ms. Nga recalls: "Winter here is cold, even though we cover ourselves, we are still very cold. I feel sorry for the children the most because they are all from poor households and wear thin clothes."
"When winter passes, when summer comes, it's 1 degree hotter outside than 10 degree hotter inside. Covering up or turning on the fan still can't reduce the heat," Ms. Nga added.
Understanding and sharing the difficulties of teachers and students at Phieng Pan school, the Golden Heart Fund - Lao Dong Newspaper sponsored the funding to build the school. The project was handed over for use from August 2022.
Since then, teachers and students here no longer have to worry about the cold winds that cut their skin because the classrooms have been solidly built. From this dream school, the hopes for a bright future of the children in the mountainous region seem to have taken flight.
Teacher Nong Thi Nga (Head of Phieng Pan School) witnessed the classroom from a corrugated iron shed to a solid construction.
Ms. Nga shared: "Thank you very much Lao Dong Newspaper, thank you Tam Long Vang Fund, having a solid school like this is like a dream, now the classroom is warm in winter, cool in summer, no need to worry about rain or wind, teachers and students can feel secure in teaching and learning".
Phieng Pan school has a total investment of more than 400 million VND, with a construction area of 104.8 m2 including a 1-storey building, 2 classrooms with solid walls, corrugated iron roof, and heat-insulating plastic ceiling below. The house was built right on the old classroom foundation.
140 km from Phieng Pan, a school named Ban Khoong (Ly Quoc commune, Ha Lang district) has also recently changed its appearance, putting on a new coat when the Golden Heart Fund sponsored the cost of upgrading and renovating.
In previous years, the facilities of Ban Khoong school were still facing many difficulties. Not only did the school lack a kitchen for the students, but the small school yard had not been concreted, there was no roof for the children to play, and the surrounding wall of the school had not been built yet.
Sharing the difficulties of teachers and students here, in September 2023, the Golden Heart Fund sponsored funds to upgrade and renovate the school.
The project has a total investment of 660 million VND, including a kitchen area, surrounding walls, a covered playground and a gate, contributing to better teaching and learning.
On November 15, at Ban Khoong school, in a spacious, solidly built space, teacher Tran Thi Vien shared: "Before, when the cafeteria was still makeshift, the children (students) had a very difficult time, especially during the rainy season.
Up to now, the new kitchen has been built, the surrounding wall is solid, the playground has also been completed, the facilities are almost complete for nearly 60 children to study and develop comprehensively.
