CHIENG KHEO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SON LA, VIETNAM

Lotus School Foundation is honored to have completed our first school building project to help improve the quality of education for school children in rural Vietnam. One of the most significant barriers to education for school-age children in the rural part of Vietnam is access to schools, particularly in the most socially and economically disadvantaged ethnic communities located high and deep in the mountains. Where schools exist in these remote communities, they usually are very far, in very poor conditions and often lack basic amenities such as electricity, water, and adequate toilet facilities.

Lotus School Foundation was first introduced to Chieng Kheo Elementary School through Nun Thich Nu Quang Phat during a mission trip that our team participated in the area. The school is located in Son La, which is the 5th largest province in Vietnam. It is also one of the poorest provinces in the country with approximately 80% of its population is made up of ethnic minorities (Thai, Hmong, Xa Dao, Muong, Kho-Mu and Tay). Nearly 80% of the land is mountainous and much of the populace live below the poverty line and rely heavily on basic subsistence farming for their livelihood.

The children in these remote mountainous areas not only face limited education opportunities, but they are also affected by the severe weather and poor living conditions.

NEW SCHOOL

After our visit, Lotus School Foundation committed to sponsoring 100% of the rebuilding efforts for a new school. Our team worked with a local partner, Mrs. Nga Le Duong who is a part of a non-profit organization called Ket Noi Trai Tim to help supervise the construction process and ensuring that the project was completed on time and within budget. Ms. Duong provided LSF with weekly update reports and pictures of the construction development to guarantee the integrity and quality of the project.

The schools that LSF seeks to impact are typically located high and deep in the mountains, so transporting materials is a huge challenge and can be very costly.

In order to keep the cost economical, we worked with a local builder that employs corrugated aluminum as the external cladding for both roof and walls. Aluminum is easier to transport up the mountains and it’s one of the most energy efficient and sustainable construction materials. Aluminum also provides insulation and allows daylight and fresh air into the building. Most importantly, it helps protect the building from the fierce storms and harsh winter weather conditions.

The new school was efficiently built at the cost of 229,162,00 VND, which is approximately $9,800 USD. The cost covers five small classrooms to serve 65 children, two restrooms, a water basin, and a concrete surface for the playground. This project was definitely a community effort with parents and local villagers involved in the building process and volunteering to plant 100 trees around the school.

GRAND OPENING

September 15, 2018

Lotus School Foundation’s Representatives attended the Grand Opening for the new Chieng Kheo Elementary School on September 15, 2018. It was with great joy and happiness to know that the children now have a new school that provides a warmer and safer environment for them to learn. This is only possible due to your generous support and donations. We extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the private donors and small businesses that have supported us on our first school project. In addition, we would like to thank Nun Thich Nu Quang Phat and our local field partner, Mrs. Duong for helping us oversee the project.

Through your compassion and support, children in these rural, poverty-stricken areas will now have an opportunity to develop their skills and look forward to a better future.

MORE PROJECTS