Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – In mid-October 2023, a team of 6 from the Community Development Ministry traveled to Mộc Châu (Sơn La) to visit two preschools for Hmong children in Đông Sang commune. The trip brought rice, food and classroom supplies, but what stayed most in everyone’s heart was the sight of the children’s simple school meals for Hmong preschoolers.
See photos: photos of the Mộc Châu trip on the Community Development Ministry fanpage
Lost on the Way to Co Sung Village
The team left Hà Nội just as Mộc Châu was changing seasons, with a cool breeze and early peach blossoms dotting the hillsides. Some team members were joining the ministry for the first time, and the trip was a chance for them to understand the Community Development Ministry’s work better.
The Co Sung – Chăm Cháy preschool is not far from Mộc Châu town, but the map app led the vehicle onto a very rough shortcut, and the deeper they went the weaker the phone signal. After about 30 minutes of trying, the team finally found the way into the village, just as the children were waking from their nap. The road to the school winds and twists; in the rainy season many stretches flood and become impassable.
The team brought 500 kg of good rice, a case of cooking oil, 150 packets of seasoning salt, foam mats for one preschool classroom, a 3-liter rice cooker and snacks for a party. Most of the children here are Hmong, and many come from struggling families, so paying for school lunches is very hard for parents. The children’s lunches are currently supported by a “Feed a Child” project, but it only covers part of the need.
Lunch at Pa Phách 2
The next day, the team visited the Pa Phách 2 preschool, about 10 km from the town center. It is the most remote and disadvantaged school in Đông Sang commune, with a steep road, and all its students are Hmong.
At exactly 11 o’clock, the teachers brought out bowls of rice and soup to the yard. The children carried their own tables, sat neatly with folded arms waiting for their portions, then politely invited their teachers, guests and friends to eat before starting. Watching them eat so nicely made everyone happy, but also troubled: each portion was just a bowl of rice with a fried egg and a little meat floss. The teachers said the floss had been donated by a volunteer group; usually lunch has only one dish.
With about 6,800 dong per meal per child, the children’s portions can hardly provide enough energy and nutrition. Many team members spooned rice for the preschoolers themselves, and could not help feeling a pang when comparing it to their own children’s meals at home.
“For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the needy.” (Psalm 72:12–13)
Raising the Playground and Rebuilding the Fence
Back at Pa Phách 2, the team listened to the two teachers describe the school’s difficulties: the plot is small and right next to the village path, so every rainy season water pours in and turns the yard into a “water pit,” leaving the children with nowhere to play. Right after the trip, the ministry agreed to give about 8 million dong for cement, sand and bricks to raise the playground and rebuild the fence.
The ministry encouraged the teachers to invite parents and villagers to help build. Before long, the team happily received photos of the parents themselves building a schoolyard for their children.
A Windbreak for Winter
At Co Sung – Chăm Cháy, a site survey showed the school badly needed plastic roofing sheets around the yard to keep wind and dust out of the play area and classroom. Thanks to the generosity of many believers, the ministry completed the windbreak at a total cost of over 14 million dong. This winter, the children will face less wind and dust when playing outside.
When severe cold arrived at the end of the year, the ministry kept receiving photos of Hmong children coming to class in temperatures around 3°C in thin clothes and no socks. The ministry longs to bring blankets, mattresses, pillows and warm clothes to the children, so their naps and school days can be warmer.
Let Us Pray Together
- For the children at Co Sung – Chăm Cháy and Pa Phách 2 to have more nutritious school meals.
- For highland teachers to have health, patience and love for their students.
- For the Community Development Ministry to have more resources to help children in ethnic mountain areas.
Read more in Community Development and Church News. Contact the church office: 0942 248 688 (Zalo available).
