'School Milk' program with the joy of children

School Milk is a national program in an effort to improve the nutritional status of children of preschool and primary school age. Adequate nutritional supplementation will help enhance physical strength and intelligence during school age - the golden age of development. With the cooperation of the whole society, over the years, millions of students nationwide have received better nutritional care when enjoying the School Milk program.

The School Milk Program is funded by the state budget, supporting businesses and parents' contributions. Vinamilk is an active partner in implementing the program in 23 provinces and cities, bringing milk to more than 3.3 million preschool and primary school students. Many children were initially confused by the new activity, but in a short time, milk drinking time has become a familiar, relaxing moment because they not only enjoy delicious milk cartons with friends but also learn many new things.

Teachers give detailed instructions so that students know how to check the expiration date on the milk carton, shake the milk carton well before drinking to make the milk taste better, or learn how to fold the milk carton and put it in the right place for easy collection and disposal. These activities also help children raise their awareness of environmental protection.

As for children, when asked why they like to drink milk, they shared very "surprising" and cute reasons for children. Thien Bao (a student in grade 1/4 at Cu Chi Town Primary School, Ho Chi Minh City) said: "I really want to play badminton well. I like to drink milk to increase my height and play badminton better." A 4-year-old girl, who was drinking milk with her friends under the School Milk program of Quang Nam province, when asked, humorously said: "I really like to drink milk, because drinking milk helps me grow tall and beautiful!"

Drinking milk every day when going to class helps children have more energy to study, participate in fun activities and sports at school more enthusiastically, contributing to comprehensive physical development.

Under the skillful hands of teachers and the creativity of children, milk cartons have been transformed into lovely toys. In the picture are colorful models of cars, trains, planes... carefully crafted by the skillful hands of teachers and students of Cu Chi Town 2 Kindergarten (HCMC).

Students enthusiastically participated in the familiar handicraft class, but now it was more creative and novel with the appearance of school milk boxes, their close "companion".

The School Milk Program is especially meaningful for mountainous, remote and isolated areas where economic conditions are difficult. Giving children milk regularly every day is sometimes "too much" for many parents. Therefore, School Milk not only helps children receive better nutritional care but also brings the joy of drinking milk, which is very simple for children.

In Quang Nam, School Milk has been deployed in 6 mountainous districts. In Quang Ngai, more than 58,000 preschool and primary school students in the mountainous districts of Son Tay, Son Ha, Tay Tra, Tra Bong, Ba To, and Minh Long also drink milk when going to class. The funding source is supported by the provincial budget and Vinamilk, the milk supplier. Parents do not need to contribute any additional money.

Ms. Le Thi Tuong Vy, Principal of Hoa Hong Kindergarten (Quang Ngai) shared: “85% of the students at the school are ethnic minorities, many of whom have not had the opportunity to access milk, so when the program was implemented, they all got to drink milk and participate in activities in class, so they were very happy. Parents were also excited when they heard that their children could drink milk at school because their children were receiving thoughtful nutritional care at school through the School Milk program."

Through many years of implementation, with the determination and great efforts of all implementing units, School Milk has truly become an indispensable part of educational activities in many provinces and cities, contributing to helping millions of school-age children receive better nutritional care for comprehensive physical and mental development.