Lac Son Area Development Programme (ADP) is located in Hoa Binh province in the northwestern region of Vietnam. The terrain is mountainous and harsh, and the community – mainly ethnic Muong (90%) – has poor access to basic necessities such as potable water, nutritious food, education, and health care.

In April 2011, World Vision Malaysia donated US$16,892 (approx. RM52,790) to Lac Son ADP through the Gifts of Hope fund to purchase learning materials and teaching aid such as tables, chairs, picture books, educational toys and playground equipment. The gifts are benefiting over 400 children and teachers at
four pre-schools here.

Among the beneficiaries is Phu Luong preschool which opened in 2009. Before, the school was lacking basic facilities such as learning materials and teaching aids. The school's condition was so poor that some parents preferred to keep their children at home and the children were not motivated to attend school.

The day the truck arrived with the gifts, the teachers and children at Phu Luong preschool were filled with joy and excitement. Some quickly helped to unload the items while the children looked on at all the equipment in amazement.

According to the school teachers, since receiving the new learning and teaching aids and toys, the quality of learning and teaching has improved significantly. "We would like to thank World Vision and the donors for providing us with such beautiful and practical gifts. The children are now learning more effectively and
happily. In the past, parents had to persuade their children to go to pre-school every day, but now the children ask their parents to walk them to school early in the morning," said Mrs Nhan, the school's headmistress.

You can visit World Vision Malaysia for their upcoming events.

For full Gift of Hope Report 2010/2011, please download here.