Distance to school is not only measured in kilometers
After each rainy and flood season, the road to school in many highland villages becomes more challenging. In Lai Chau, landslides make many road sections dangerous, in some places mud and soil cover the walkways. In Lao Cai and Quang Tri, school facilities are degraded, the school point in Dakrong does not even have standard toilets, while many children still go to school in ripped shoes, even barefoot on slippery mountain passes. That is what students of Phuc Than Primary School (Muong Than, Lai Chau), Y Ty Ethnic Minority Boarding Primary & Secondary School (Lao Cai) or Lang Cat School Point (Dakrong, Quang Tri) are experiencing every day.
For a child to be able to go to school regularly, besides the geographical distance, there is also the story of a safe learning environment and health care every day.
Lifebuoy continues its journey to bring young children to school
The joint efforts of the community, localities and businesses can add more resources close to the daily lives of students. That is also the reason Lifebuoy is coordinating with the Provincial Youth Union, Vietnam Youth Federation and Young Physicians Association of Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Quang Tri provinces to implement a series of activities to support students before the new school year.
- Funding a package to build, repair, upgrade facilities, and improve sanitation conditions at schools in 3 localities with a total value of 670 million VND;
- Giving 2,200 gifts to students, including clean bacteria products and shoes, with a total value of 750 million VND;
- Organize 1,000 free health check-ups and consultations for students;
- Awarding 70 scholarships worth 60 million VND to students in difficult circumstances, adding motivation for them to continue their learning journey.
Improving learning conditions for children in border areas is also an effort being jointly promoted by the whole country, as a series of multi-level boarding schools in border communes, including Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Quang Tri, are being invested in construction, so that geographical distance and living conditions are no longer barriers on the learning journey of highland children.
Muddy feet can get stained, dreams can't get stained.
In places where the road to class is still far, a stable educational environment not only brings opportunities to access knowledge but also helps children maintain their studies longer, reducing the risk of early dropping out of school. When barriers of distance, facilities or health are gradually removed, the door to their future is also wider.
In that journey, Lifebuoy chooses to start with the most practical things: a pair of solid shoes on the way to class, a timely health check-up, a gift of shower gel, hand sanitizer and a support scholarship. Each support may be small when standing alone, but when connected, they contribute to helping children continue to go to school today and persistently pursue their studies tomorrow.
Mud can stain feet, but cannot stain dreams. That is also what Lifebuoy wishes to continue to accompany in the following school opening seasons, so that every start to school for children is cleaner and stronger. Because the journey "For a healthier Vietnam" is also nurtured from the healthy steps to school today.
