Through a combination of educational support, awareness raising, and social support, the ILO ENHANCE project is supporting a primary school in Ho Chi Minh City to empower students to stay in school and achieve their dreams.
ILO – 30 May 2024
Content also available in:tiếng Việt
Ho Chi Minh City, VIET NAM (ILO News) – In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Tan district lies a haven of opportunity amidst the bustling streets – Thien An School. Established in 2000 by a local parish, this school plays a vital role in the lives of many underprivileged children.
Binh Tan district itself faces a unique set of challenges. Many families are those who have migrated from other provinces in search of a better life. Unfortunately, low income and the struggle to make ends meet are a harsh reality for these families. In many cases, the pressure to contribute to the household income falls heavily on the young shoulders of children in the family. School, sadly, becomes a secondary concern. Instead, children find themselves on the streets, taking on precarious jobs like selling lottery tickets or helping out at local restaurants. These jobs, while offering a quick source of income, leave them vulnerable and exposed to the harsh realities of life on the streets.
Thien An school then became a haven for many of these children, starting out with free literacy classes for vulnerable kids in the district to now a school for almost 400 primary-school-aged children from across different parts of Ho Chi Minh City. Here dedicated nuns and teachers have nurtured young minds and given families a place for their kids to learn. However, the fight against child labour is a constant battle and the immediate financial gain can be tempting for families struggling to put food on the table. This is where the ILO ENHANCE* project, funded by the US Department of Labor, has stepped in.
A classroom at Thien An school
Understanding the needs and taking action
Understanding the complex challenges faced by the school and its students, the project has joined the school, and partners from Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DoLISA) and Saigon Children Charity to implement a multi-faceted approach. The support provides essential learning tools, from textbooks and notebooks to the magic portal of a well-stocked school library. But perhaps the most impactful intervention is the daily lunch program. With nutritious meals, the children can stay in school for a full day, rather than leaving to work in the afternoons as before.
Le Kim Duyen, now nearing her 70s points at her grand-daughter, amidst the crowd of kids joyfully eating lunch. “I work as a waste picker on a daily basis. I wouldn’t be able to send her to school if it weren’t for Thien An and the support we have received. She loves school.’ – shared Duyen.
What has been even more significant is the change amongst the families’ attitudes towards education. Sister Nguyen Thi Thao, who manages the school shared: ‘’In my opinion, the most successful aspect of the support provided has been that we have been able to raise awareness among parents, who now understand the importance of allowing their children to continue education.’
Ms Le Kim Duyen with her granddaughter and a bicycle gifted by the school so she could take her granddaughter to school.</p?
Support beyond the classroom
The project support doesn’t stop at academics. For many children from disadvantaged backgrounds, the challenge has been the lack of basic essentials like a birth certificate, which would allow them to go to school and apply for social health insurance. Hong Thi Nguyet, 63, whose grandson Gia Huy is in the 5th grade, shared ‘I am so grateful to the school and the project’s support. Thanks to this, we have gotten help to get a birth certificate for my grandson, since his parents left when he was a baby. He is now able to get a social health insurance card so he can have surgery for his injured wrist this summer’.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the project also supported to provide emergency food and educational supplies to students and families.
A sustainable model to replicate
Recognizing the importance of continued education, the project has also worked further with the city’s DOLISA and Saigon Children Charity to ensure the students can transition from Thien An into public secondary schools and vocational schools.
Thien An’s story is one of hope and empowerment. The ENHANCE project’s holistic approach – providing not just education but also addressing the underlying social and economic challenges – has noticeably reduced child labour while fostering a love of learning. Now, the project is working with the district to ensure the model’s sustainability, inspiring a future where education, not premature work, paves the way for a brighter tomorrow.
Ms Hong Thi Nguyet with her grandson Gia Huy, who now has a birth certificate and social health insurance to get surgery for his wrist.
Gia Huy is in the 5th grade at Thien An.
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* The support is implemented by the US Department of Labor-funded ILO project, Enhancing National Capacity to Prevent and Reduce Child Labour in Viet Nam (ENHANCE), in partnership with the Ministry of Labour Invalids and Social Affairs.
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