Alumni from the Lycee Blaise Pascal de Da Nang donated funds towards the construction of a two-room primary school in Hoa Phat in 2005.

The following article originally appeared in EMW's Reach Vietnam magazine about the project. Shown below are children in the new Hoa Phat school. Photo by Dee Dee Nguyen.

 

Providing Education
Across the Generations

Alumni of the Lycee Blaise Pascal de Da Nang are no strangers to learning in Vietnam. Years after leaving Vietnam, memories of their childhood and school still linger. While many have visited, most have not been able to see the remarkable changes in Da Nang. Fortunately, those classmates who have are helping memorialize their school and offering opportunities for children in Da Nang to improve their education. Alumni recently organized a grand reunion in San Jose, CA where they partnered with the East Meets West Foundation to give back to a new generation of young learners.

Their support was for the children of Hoa Phat, one of the poorest communes of the Hoa Vang District, where most children attend the #2 Branch of the Hoa Phat Primary School. Built before 1975, the 5-room school had low ceilings and small windows, no lights, and no heating and cooling systems. The building’s roof leaked during the rainy seasons and the walls were in serious danger of collapsing. The building was in utter decay and posed a serious hazard for the students.

Partnering with the local community, EMW designed a larger and sturdier building. The new primary school is now a 2-story, 4-room building with a stone foundation and brick walls. Larger windows and more doors were added, improving the natural lighting and airing of the rooms. A tin roof was installed to prevent leakage during the rainy season. New lights and fans were also installed. Each room was equipped with new blackboards.

The primary school now offers two sessions, allowing students to attend regular classes in the morning and tutoring in the afternoon. The new school enables students and teachers to learn and work in a comfortable and safe educational environment.

 

For More Info

To get involved with EMW School program, contact the EMW Development Team at info@eastmeetswest.org.