A launching ceremony, along with a School Hygiene Day, was held at Lao Chai Semi-Boarding Primary School for Ethnic Minorities in Mu Cang Chai, and Ho Thau Primary and Secondary School in Tam Duong on Oct. 3.
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The ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch the 20 new toilets coincided with the School Hygiene Day in Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province, on Oct. 3, 2024. Photo by Duy Anh |
The newly launched facilities include four clusters of 12 toilets, one cluster of eight toilets, nine clusters of six toilets, and six clusters of four toilets.
The toilets were designed to meet the needs of each school's student population, featuring separate sections for males and females with individual walkways. They are fully equipped with toilets, hand sinks, water supply and drainage systems, septic tanks, and instruction boards on proper toilet use and handwashing techniques.
Nguyen Van Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Education and Training of Mu Cang Chai District, said the "School Hygiene" project provided essential support to help students study and live in better conditions, contributing to the improvement of education in Mu Cang Chai.
"The schools will strive to maintain and renovate the facilities regularly to ensure their durability. At the same time, they will guide students on how to use the toilets properly and hygienically, promoting both personal and general hygiene," he added.
Le Thi Thuy Nhung, principal of Son Binh Primary and Secondary School in Tam Duong District, one of the schools receiving new toilets, said the school has 1,026 students, including 254 boarding students, making the demand for toilets and bathrooms very high.
Previously, the school had only one toilet building, leading to significant difficulties for both students and teachers. When the facility became overloaded, teachers often had to unclog the toilets themselves.
"With the new toilets, featuring 12 separate rooms for men and women, the children are thrilled. They no longer have to wait in long lines as they did before," Nhung said.
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Students at Coc Pa - Ban Giang Primary School use the new toilets. Photo by Duy Anh |
At Coc Pa - Ban Giang Primary School, second-grader Phan Thi Ngoc Thuy expressed excitement over the new toilet, which features four rooms for boys and girls. She shared how the old facility was often clogged and unpleasant, making her reluctant to use it, sometimes waiting until she got home. "The new toilet is much better and cleaner, and we no longer have to wait in line like before," Thuy said.
At the largest school in the district, Semi-Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities and Mo De Secondary School, which serves nearly 1,100 students, the previous toilet was made from rusty corrugated iron sheets and was often overwhelmed.
"In the past, every time I needed to use the bathroom, I had to wait a long time, and I always brought a friend to help carry water and guard the door. If there were any issues, we had to call the teachers for help with the clogging, which could disrupt the entire school's schedule," said Sung Thi Sua, a ninth-grader.
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The new, fully equipped toilet at the School for Ethnic Minorities and Mo De Secondary School. Photo by Tung Dinh |
The construction of 20 sanitary facilities began in May under the School Hygiene project, launched by the Hope Foundation with funding from Enterogermina, a brand of Opella Vietnam, part of Sanofi’s consumer healthcare division in Vietnam.
The project is supported by Long Chau and the Vietnam Construction Corporation, with a total budget exceeding VND3.5 billion (US$140.87). Of this amount, the sponsors contributed VND2.87 billion, with the remainder coming from local contributions.
In addition to building sanitation facilities that meet the standards of the Ministry of Education and Training, the project also focuses on raising awareness about hygiene. This is achieved through materials and guidance provided to students and teachers on school hygiene practices.
On Oct. 3, the School Hygiene Project organized School Hygiene Day - Purpose Day, creating a fun and educational event for students in Mu Cang Chai and Tam Duong districts.
Students engaged in activities to learn about hygiene through quizzes, dancing, hand washing games, and statue coloring.
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Students at Lao Chai Primary School for Ethnic Minorities participate in the School Hygiene Day event. Photo by Tung Dinh |
At the event, Mai Thi Thu Huong, Director of External Affairs at Opella, expressed her happiness in witnessing the transformation from old, dilapidated toilets to new, well-functioning ones.
"Seeing the students entering the new school year and using the new toilets, we are excited to have helped them overcome the negative experiences they once had with the school restrooms," Huong said.
The School Hygiene Project is part of the broader Schools of Sunshine program, which aims to replace outdated toilets at Vietnamese schools. Along with Opella Vietnam, the Hope Foundation has collaborated with FPT Group and MoMo E-Wallet to support the construction of 60 sanitary facilities in recent years in Song Ma District in Son La Province, Muong Nhe District in Dien Bien Province, and Hung Ha District in Thai Binh Province.
Over the past two years, 100 construction projects and hygiene education activities have provided clean toilets and improved hygiene awareness for nearly 20,000 students and teachers across five districts.
To learn more about contributing to the foundation, readers can find additional information here.