For Vietnamese Stature Fund, TH Group and BAC A BANK: 1,000 toilets for students in mountainous areas

Commitment to accompany

20 new toilets were inaugurated in 9 communes of Chieng Dong, Phieng Khoai, Chieng On, Long Phieng, Tu Nang, Yen Son, Chieng Tuong, Sap Vat and Muong Lum, in the mountainous border district of Yen Chau, Son La province. These are communes in particularly difficult areas with the proportion of ethnic minorities accounting for over 85%. Economic life, infrastructure, including physical facilities at schools in these communes are still lacking compared to the general level of the whole district.

Pha Cung school has 75 students, but previously the school only had one small toilet shared by both teachers and students. Because the toilet did not meet standards, it was arranged in a separate area, far from the classroom. This distance caused many difficulties and obstacles for students in using it, especially on bad weather days or short breaks. Moreover, because it was not built according to standards, the toilet often emitted odors, affecting the surrounding air and causing discomfort and inconvenience for students.

On December 23, 2024, the For Vietnamese Stature Fund (VSF) in collaboration with the National Volunteer Center (under the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union), TH Group, Bac A Commercial Joint Stock Bank (BAC A BANK), Son La Provincial Youth Union, Yen Chau District Youth Union and local authorities organized the inauguration ceremony of 20 toilets for children in Yen Chau district, Son La. From early morning, Mr. Luong Van Hoa, Principal of Long Phieng B Primary School, along with teachers and students of Pha Cung school, were present at the school to prepare for the inauguration ceremony.

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Although the school knows the old toilets are in serious disrepair, they do not have the means to rebuild them. The teachers and parents have long wanted new toilets for their children but have not been able to afford them.

Teacher Luong Van Hoa - Principal of Long Phieng B Primary School

When learning that the school would be building a new restroom, all teachers and students were very excited and looked forward to the inauguration and handover day. The school was built with a septic tank according to the standards of the Ministry of Education and Training; with 2 enclosed restrooms inside and a hand washing area outside. Above the restroom, there is also a sign to help students practice the habit of washing their hands properly every day.

Ly Van Hung, a student at Long Phieng B Primary School, excitedly said: "I really like the new restroom. The new restroom is closer, cleaner, and has a fragrant hand-washing area. Unlike before, every time we had to go to the restroom, we felt embarrassed, especially when it rained or in the cold winter."

“Building new toilets is a wonderful thing, helping students receive better health care at school, while also contributing to educating and raising students' awareness and attitudes about environmental protection” - Teacher Luong Van Hoa expressed his thanks to the units and shared more.

On this occasion, the units also presented 625 glasses of TH true MILK to all students at Pha Cung school, and organized games for the students to learn about school hygiene. Through the games, the students learned more about personal hygiene, environmental hygiene as well as skills to use clean water and toilets properly.

Toilet for children

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Le Huy Khanh - Director of BAC A BANK Son La branch - representing TH Group, BAC A BANK and VSF, said: "Looking at the completed and put into use projects, we are more aware that we are not only building toilets, but also creating better learning environments, where students can study with peace of mind and develop comprehensively."

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"We hope that the new toilets will bring more comfort and safety to students every day they go to school. This is also our long-term commitment to teachers, students and the education sector in general."

Mr. Le Huy Khanh - Director of BAC A BANK Son La branch - representing TH Group, BAC A BANK and VSF spoke at the inauguration ceremony.

These are the next 20 projects to be inaugurated in the Project to build 1,000 school toilets under the "Wish for Children" Program - a program calling on the whole society to join hands to support students and teachers in difficult areas, remote areas, and ethnic minority areas.

The handed over toilet facilities will contribute to creating conditions to help students improve their health and study with peace of mind; at the same time, spreading and attracting social resources to invest in the right direction for children, contributing to forming a friendly school model with healthy and active students.

To effectively implement the 1,000 school toilets project, the National Volunteer Center was assigned by the Ministry of Education and Training, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and other parties to be the standing unit, coordinating and receiving resources and implementing the "Wish for Children" Program, including the 1,000 School Toilets Project (toilets for children). The Ministry of Education and Training coordinated to issue standards and regulations for building school toilets and directed the local education sector to coordinate implementation.

Also in Son La province, VSF and the provincial Department of Education and Training are speeding up the construction of 9 other school toilet projects to be handed over and put into use in the first quarter of 2025. Currently, 31 other projects in Bac Kan and Hoa Binh are under construction, gradually taking shape to serve the essential needs of students. The project is also completing documents to start construction of 45 new projects.

Phu Huong