COMPLETION OF THE BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN PROJECT IN THE MOUNTAINOUS AREAS OF LẠNG SƠN AND ĐIỆN BIÊN

The new classrooms are sturdier and safer than the previous temporary wooden-walled, dirt-floor classrooms, which could only be used for a maximum of 1 year and were very dangerous during the rainy and stormy season.

Here, the students' parents leave for the fields early in the morning and do not return until late at night. At home, the children therefore have nobody to care for or supervise them, so they usually board at school from Sunday afternoon until Friday afternoon. They spend more time at school than at home; the classroom is their home, and the teachers are like their parents, cooking every meal, cleaning, and laying out every mat for them to sleep on.

As Mr. Thông, head of the Tà Hàng school cluster, shared: “I have 2 children, but they attend another school, so I cannot always give them much attention. The children at this school are the ones I care for more. The new school arrived just in time to replace the severely deteriorated temporary building. Without this new school, the children would probably be studying in very dangerous conditions.”

In the previous temporary buildings, the children's learning and daily conditions were very difficult and dangerous. Sponsoring school construction here is therefore extremely worthwhile.

When the school was completed, all the teachers, local leaders, and especially the pupils were delighted and excited. Our school-visiting group could not count the many expressions of thanks and handshakes from the teachers and local leaders.

Then there is the story of Hải, head of the Education Department in Mường Nhé, Điện Biên. He shared that although he was not born here, he has worked here for 18 years. There were times he gave up and considered returning home to escape the hardship. Yet his love for and attachment to this land kept him here. He said: “I don't know what the teachers here and I were in a previous life, but in this life we vow to unite on this land to fulfill this noble mission.” He witnesses not only the daily difficulties faced by students but also the circumstances of teachers. He told of a teacher who spent years loving, teaching, and caring for the children. She loved them so much that year after year she gave no thought to starting a family. When her youth had passed, she adopted one of her pupils. As the child grew, Hải also helped and encouraged the child to study hard. The child later succeeded academically and returned to care for the adoptive mother. That is one of his greatest joys. 

Then there is Hồng's story. As principal of the main school overseeing 13 school sites, she is praised by teachers and local leaders as a woman of action. She is truly a “mother” to more than 1000 pupils, knowing and helping with whatever concerns each child. She constantly identifies needs and seeks charitable connections. She is like the children's “good-luck charm”: whatever she connects gets completed properly. She is a shining example to everyone.

We learned that the pupils here are very well-behaved. Though a little untamed, they complete whatever they are asked to do. Local people are enthusiastic, and relations between local leaders and residents are very good. Whenever each household is asked to send someone to help, none is absent; everyone is united for the common good of the village.

We at Light Charity and Sao Biển share many values, especially our preference for avoiding fanfare at groundbreaking or opening ceremonies. For an opening ceremony, simply hanging a banner and taking a commemorative photo with representatives and the children is enough—no fuss or embellishments.
We focus entirely on creating value and minimizing unnecessary expenses. Hearing the teachers’ stories here has strengthened our conviction that the value we create and bring to the students and teachers is worthwhile.