Children in Thạch Thành District access clean water

Students of the Thành Mỹ Kindergarten perform the hand-washing dance at the campaign launching ceremony. — Photo courtesy of World Vision

THANH HÓA — A campaign bringing clean water to communities in need in Việt Nam was launched on Thursday by China Medical University Hospital (CMUH) and World Vision.

The campaign “Sending love: Providing clean water for children – Medical staff walk together”, will provide clean water and improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices in Thạch Thành District, Thanh Hóa central province.

The press conference launching the campaign was held at the CMUH in Taiwan (China), with online connection to the Thành Mỹ Kindergarten in Thạch Thành District. 

Thạch Thành, located 70km from the provincial centre, is one of the particularly difficult districts of Thanh Hóa Province.

Around 40 per cent of households drink unfiltered water, and many kindergartens and primary schools have to provide children with drinking water without proper treatment.

In addition, the local people’s WASH practices are still poor.

These challenges have led to 20 per cent of children under five in the district suffering development delays.

The donation of VNĐ780 million (about US$32,000) from CMUH will be used to build water supply systems, toilets and hand washing facilities in five communes in Thạch Thành District.

Communication sessions will also be implemented to improve WASH practices among local people, especially children.

De-Yang Chou, the President of CMUH, said, “Lack of water, polluted water and insufficient sanitation facilities will seriously affect food security, livelihood options, and even children’s right to education in vulnerable areas. I hope that through this press conference, everyone will pay attention to the WASH issues.”

Ngô Công Thành, North 2 Zonal Programme Manager of World Vision International in Việt Nam, said, “The campaign will bring clean water to 2,500 people, thereby helping local children and communities enjoy good health and thrive. World Vision is committed to implementing the project effectively, creating positive impacts on child wellbeing.”

Hoàng Thị Loan, principal of the Thành Mỹ Kindergarten, said, “At Thành Mỹ Kindergarten, there are classes with more than 20 children, but the school has only two faucets. It is very difficult for us to guide children in daily hand washing.”

It is even harder on rainy days when children’s hands and feet get dirty when they go to school, teachers often have to wash children’s hands and feet. 

“With the campaign’s support, we will repair four toilets and build new hand washing areas. We will also organise training sessions for students on hand washing to improve health and prevent disease,” she said.

Last year, with support of domestic and international sponsors and donors, World Vision installed 2,020 household sanitation facilities and helped 10,463 people across Việt Nam access to basic drinking water service. — VNS