On the morning of 2/10, the two school sites, Bang Lang Kindergarten and Lieng Sronh Primary School, in Hamlet 179 were officially handed over after six months of construction. The complex comprises two separate areas to serve the educational needs of Hmong children in the village. One hundred percent of the land for the project was donated by local parents.

The primary school section, part of Lieng Sronh Primary School, features five classrooms, six toilet stalls, a concrete yard, and a fence; with a total cost exceeding 2,6 ty VND. Of this, 2,2 ty VND was contributed by sponsors including Home Credit Vietnam, Tram Phong Tuong Lai, Tu Quy Family, Pickup & Friends Club, Totto-chan Kindergarten, Nutifood, MoMo e-wallet users, and VnExpress readers, through the Hope Foundation.

The kindergarten section, part of Bang Lang Kindergarten, includes two self-contained classrooms, a semi-boarding kitchen, and an outdoor playground; with a total investment exceeding 1,5 ty VND. The project received 1,3 ty VND in funding from FPT Polytechnic lecturers and students, Volvo Car Vietnam, and the Hope Foundation.

The new school buildings at site 179, Lieng Sronh Primary School, Dam Rong 2 commune, on the morning of 2/10. Photo: Hong Tham

Hamlet 179 is located over 60 km from the center of Dam Rong 2 commune, serving as home to Hmong people who migrated from northern mountainous provinces. Over 65% of the commune's total population are ethnic minorities, earning a living through swidden farming. The challenging terrain makes it difficult for residents to access basic infrastructure.

For the past 15 years, primary school students here had to study in wooden structures built by parents who contributed planks. These classrooms had sparse walls that offered no protection from cold winds, and old tin roofs that absorbed heat in the dry season and leaked during the rainy season. For kindergarten-aged children, the hamlet never had classrooms. Children under six years old often accompanied their parents to the fields or looked after each other at home.

At the handover ceremony, Mr. Ndu Ha Bien, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Dam Rong 2 commune, stated that bringing permanent schools to the hamlet has been a desire of residents and local authorities for generations. A unique aspect of the project is that 100% of the land for the school construction was voluntarily donated by Hmong parents in Hamlet 179.

"Children in the village attending school and learning to read is a dream for both the people and local authorities. After over 15 years of cramped learning in temporary, dilapidated classrooms, these children can now study with peace of mind in new, spacious facilities." Mr. Bien also expressed gratitude to the Hope Foundation and the sponsors for facilitating and contributing to improving the quality of learning and education in the area.

Students' joy on the inauguration day of the new school. Photo: Hong Tham

Local leaders and organizations present gifts to students.

Sponsors give gifts to students.

Sponsors give gifts to students.

Students beam as they receive their new school buildings.

Bringing his children to the school site early, Mr. Ly A So, a parent in the village, shared that previously, during storms, adults working in the fields were constantly worried that the wooden planks of the classrooms would be blown off or flooded. "Now that there are permanent school buildings, we can work with peace of mind, and the children won't have to miss school midway due to weather," Mr. So said.

Following the handover ceremony, teachers, parents, and volunteers organized mural painting, arranged a community bookshelf, and hosted games for students in the new schoolyard.

Nga Thanh