Returning to the Nam Po Highlands
After days of preparation, the 'Returning to the Highlands' program co-organized by Kien Vuong and the Dien Bien Provincial Youth Union was successfully held on October 28th. As previously shared with the Kien family, Kien Vuong's destination this time was a high-altitude border school in Dien Bien Province—Vang Dan Semi-Boarding Primary and Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, located in Vang Dan Commune, Nam Po District.
The entire Vang Dan Semi-Boarding Primary and Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities has 900 primary and lower-secondary students. The school site where Kien Vuong presented gifts during this trip is the campus for 351 lower-secondary students, including 311 boarding students. This spacious new school was built thanks to the sponsorship of benefactors along with partial funding from local government budgets
Exactly 5 years ago to this day, Kien Vuong visited Dien Bien and presented over 1,000 gifts to students across three school sites: Quai Nua Lower Secondary School, Quai Nua Primary School No. 1, and Quai Nua Primary School No. 2 in Tuan Giao District. This trip was once again facilitated by the Provincial Youth Union, with additional support from the Nam Po District Youth Union, ensuring the gift packages reached disadvantaged students in Vang Dan Commune. Alongside 351 gift sets containing warm jackets, sandals, notebooks, and candy, there were also 157 fleece blankets and four 6,000-liter water storage tanks to ensure a supply of clean water for the school
Each person single-handedly distributes gifts in small portions before the program begins.
Welcoming the Kien Vuong delegation, besides teachers and students, there were also officials from Dien Bien Provincial Youth Union, Nam Po District Youth Union and soldiers from the border post.
The 4 water tanks given by Kien Vuong are used to store clean water from wells at the commune committee, about 1km from the school. From now on, teachers and students no longer have to worry about lack of water for daily living, cooking and washing.
Through the images above, it is evident that the school's facilities are somewhat more spacious and solid compared to most high-altitude schools Kien Vuong has visited. This is indeed an encouraging sign, showing that children in these remote mountainous areas continue to receive care and support from benefactors and donors. Kien Vuong remains dedicated to contributing its efforts alongside the community to build a more complete learning and development environment for high-altitude children. Though we know many schools still face hardships and many young ones remain disadvantaged, we hold steadfast belief that in the near future, more sturdy schools will be built across this northern high-altitude region—making the children's journey in pursuit of literacy less arduous. Bidding a temporary farewell to Dien Bien, Kien Vuong's journey continues to roll forward, heading wherever material and spiritual support is needed.
The vegetable garden is planted and cared for by the students themselves to improve their daily meals.
There is so much more to tell about the recent journey, see you all in another post to share more.
