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Oxfam in Viet Nam - building schools, building futures
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Mrs Nga teaching her reception class
Photo: Jim Holmes/Oxfam |
Oxfam started working with the District Education Department in
Duyen Hai, on Viet Nam’s Mekong delta coast, in 1998. Long
Vinh B is one of several schools that have been upgraded and improved
with Oxfam’s help.
"Before, our school was made of palm-leaf. Parents and teachers
helped to maintain it, repairing walls and roofs every one or two
years. Now Oxfam is helping us too," says headmaster Mr Dang.
"It took about four months for us to build the concrete school.
While it was being built, the children continued their education
in the old palm-leaf school. Then, once the classrooms were completed,
we moved in."
Since the new school was completed, attendance rates at Long Vinh
B have improved, and the number of teachers willing to stay at the
school has increased. The concrete classrooms and the addition of
a small concrete annex for the teachers’ use is a strong incentive
for teachers to stay at the school. "The new classrooms are
much better for us to teach in," says Mrs Nga, a reception
teacher. "There is more light, and we have a cement roof to
keep out the rain." Her colleague, Mr Vu, also praised Oxfam’s
work. "I come from a town that is 80 km away, but I look forward
to staying here for a while. Having a teachers’ house is very
convenient, as we don’t have the extra expense of electricity
and water."
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