Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – From August to October 2024, the Community Development Ministry made several trips to border schools in Central Việt Nam, where most students are ethnic minority children. The gifts included 146 uniforms, 2 smart TVs, 120 cases of instant noodles for boarding students and 4 desktop computers for schools that had never had a computer.
See photos: photos of the Central Việt Nam trip on the Community Development Ministry fanpage
Small Wishes
For ethnic minority children boarding far from home, wishes are sometimes very simple: a case of instant noodles for breakfast on cold days, or a water filter for safe drinking water at preschool. As the new school year approaches, a uniform is more than many remote families can afford; some must choose between buying food for the family and buying a uniform for their child.
Uniforms, TVs and Noodles
On the August 2024 trip, the team gave 146 new uniforms so the children could go to school with more confidence. Two 55-inch smart TVs went to two satellite schools in the villages, opening the door to lively educational programs. The team also gave 120 cases of instant noodles to boarding students at the main school, giving them more warm, comforting meals.
The trip also showed that many other satellite schools still lack school supplies, uniforms, computers and water filtration systems. The ministry continues to seek solutions for these needs.
Learning Computers on Old Keyboards
At a combined primary and lower secondary school in a border commune, students had no computers to practice on. IT classes were taught only in theory, with old keyboards the teachers had gone out of their way to collect from elsewhere. Seeing the children diligently typing on keyboards not connected to any computer touched everyone’s hearts.
Touching a Real Computer for the First Time
In October 2024, the ministry gave 4 desktop computers, worth about 22 million dong, to two satellite schools in a border commune of Quảng Trị province. Previously, teachers had to use paper diagrams and drawings to introduce computers. So when the children saw and tried a real computer for the first time, they were thrilled.
After the handover, witnessed by local authorities and the school, the ministry team set up the computers so the teachers could use them for teaching right away.
“Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Opening the Door to Knowledge
A uniform, a TV or a computer may be ordinary in the city, but for students in border areas they are a chance to access knowledge and technology. The ministry believes education is a lasting way to help these children and their communities have a brighter future.
Let Us Pray Together
- For students in border areas to study diligently and make good use of the new equipment.
- For teachers who stay on at these schools to have health and perseverance.
- For the ministry to have more resources to provide computers and water filters to schools still in need.
Read more in Community Development and Church News. Contact the church office: 0942 248 688 (Zalo available).
