Home Credit Vietnam contributed 1.2 billion VND through the Hope Foundation to build two schools in challenging areas: Co De Sang at Xeo Di Ho Kindergarten in Lao Chai commune, Lao Cai province, and Tieu khu 179 at Lieng Sronh Primary School in Dam Rong 2 commune, Lam Dong province.

At Co De Sang school, nearly 120 Hmong children study in deprived conditions. The school is perched high in the mountains, about 5 km from the main school, accessible only by motorbike or pickup truck. Built in 2013 and never renovated, the school currently has four classrooms, two of which are dilapidated tin structures. It also lacks a fence, playground, and many essential facilities for preschool children.

Makeshift tin classrooms and an unpaved, unfortified schoolyard at Co De Sang school. Photo provided by the school

"During heavy rains, the drumming sound on the tin roof disrupts teaching, and in winter, the classrooms struggle to keep young children warm," shared Ms. Giang Thi Ca, Principal of Xeo Di Ho Kindergarten.

To provide a safer learning environment for the children, Home Credit Vietnam, in collaboration with the Hope Foundation and local authorities, is implementing a project to build two new classrooms with enclosed restrooms, completely replacing the temporary ones. The total estimated project cost is 1.3 billion VND, with Home Credit Vietnam contributing 600 million VND.

Thousands of kilometers from Lao Cai, Tieu khu 179 school, part of Lieng Sronh Primary School, is located 58 km from the central school. It serves the children of over 130 Hmong households living in isolation amidst the mountains and forests of Dam Rong. For many years, students here have studied in classrooms constructed with wooden walls and tin roofs, lacking electricity and frequently exposed to the rain, wind, and cold of the highlands.

Students at Tieu khu 179 school, Lieng Sronh Primary School. Photo by Thanh Nga

According to a school representative, during the rainy season, the road to the school becomes muddy and slippery, posing significant challenges for teachers and students. The inadequate learning conditions also affect student retention and the ability to attract teachers to commit long-term to the school.

To improve teaching and learning conditions, a project to build five new classrooms, a six-compartment restroom facility, a concrete yard, and a 200-meter fence is underway, with a total estimated cost of over 2.6 billion VND. Home Credit Vietnam is contributing 600 million VND through the Home Love initiative. The construction is expected to be completed before the new school year, providing a safer and more spacious learning environment for highland students.

Tan Lap Boarding Primary and Secondary School in Dien Bien has new classrooms with support from Home Credit through the Hope Foundation. Photo by Quynh Anh

Partnering with the "Anh sang hoc duong" (School Light) program – Hope Foundation since 2023, Home Credit Vietnam has supported improving educational conditions for students in many localities such as Dien Bien, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Ca Mau (formerly Bac Lieu), and now Lao Cai and Lam Dong. This activity is part of the Home Love initiative, the company's community investment program focused on education and supporting disadvantaged children.

The "Anh sang hoc duong" program, implemented by the Hope Foundation since 2018, mobilizes social resources to improve learning conditions by building and repairing schools, supplementing equipment, teaching aids, textbooks, and improving sanitation and clean water for hundreds of educational facilities nationwide.