Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – In April 2026, the Community Development Ministry returned to the O.L preschool in Sơn La, which the team had visited and supported exactly a year earlier. The trip brought a water tank, equipment and meal money for the children. A few days later, when heavy rain tore off the roof of the teachers’ staff room, the ministry stepped in again with timely repairs.
See photos: photos of the O.L school on the Community Development Ministry fanpage
A Dusty Road and Worries About Water
The road to the school is still bumpy and covered in dust; whenever a vehicle passes or the wind blows, clouds of dust rise up. The school sits right beside the road in an area where Hmong families live. A well cannot be dug here, and the nearby stream often dries up in the dry season. So every day when they bring their children to class, parents often carry a small bottle of water to add to the school’s shared supply.
Practical Support
- 1 stainless steel tank of 2,000 liters (6,995,000 dong) so the school can collect and store rainwater;
- 2 Bluetooth speakers with microphones (1,500,000 dong) for the children’s activities;
- 1 roll of dust screen netting, 60 meters long (1,584,000 dong);
- Meal money for 80 children from April 10 to May 20, 2026 (12,000,000 dong).
According to the teachers, since the “Feed a Child” project ended, asking parents to contribute meal money has been very difficult because families’ incomes are still limited. This support gave the children steady meals during this period.
The Storm That Tore Off the Roof
At the end of April, heavy rain and strong winds tore off the entire tiled roof of the teachers’ staff room, and the plastic ceiling inside was almost completely ruined. Just two weeks earlier, the team had sat chatting in that very room. The staff room is not only a place to rest but also the only place the teachers can live while staying on at the school.
“As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Finished Before the Rainy Season
Thanks to brothers and sisters joining hands, the repairs were carried out quickly and completed over the holidays, just in time before the heavy rains. The ministry gave a total of 30,800,000 dong: 22,000,000 dong to re-tile the roof and 8,800,000 dong to replace the plastic ceiling. The teachers were overjoyed and moved, and representatives of the local authorities and the teaching staff sent their thanks for the timely help.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
Let Us Pray Together
- For the O.L teachers to be healthy and able to stay on at the school with peace of mind.
- For the school to have enough water through the dry season.
- For the Hmong children to eat well and enjoy learning.
Read more in Community Development and Church News. Contact the church office: 0942 248 688 (Zalo available).
