“I’ll never forget our first visit to Tien Hiep Kindergarten’s Village 5 Campus. It was pouring, and rainwater leaked through the old tin roof, splashing onto the floor. The children huddled under the eaves, watching their teacher sweep puddles away. You could hear their little coughs over the sound of the rain—it was clear how hard those conditions were,” shared a COV staff member.
The school, first built in 2002, had only one small classroom and a kitchen. That single room was where the children studied, ate, and napped. It was dark and cramped. When it rained, the walls turned damp and moldy. The tiled floor stayed wet, and sometimes even the ceiling fans or the television came loose from the walls. On stormy days, class was canceled altogether. With no playground, the children had nowhere safe to run and play.
Unfortunately, this is not unusual in Vietnam’s mountain areas. Many preschools still struggle with poor or unsafe facilities. In fact, Vietnam is short nearly 28,000 preschool classrooms needed to meet the standard of “one class – one room.” And while many schools now have permanent buildings, basic necessities such as safe playgrounds, toilets, and clean water are still lacking in remote provinces (Vietnam News, 2025). For children, this means missed school days, health risks, and fewer chances to learn and grow.
Thanks to our donors, COV stepped in to change that. In March 2024, we opened a brand-new classroom at Tien Hiep’s Village 5 Campus—bright, sturdy, and made for kids. Today, 35 boys and girls ages 3 to 5 finally have a proper space to learn and play. Inside are desks, beds, shelves, fans, a TV, and even a small slide. It’s not just a classroom—it’s a space that feels right for childhood.
Parents feel the change immediately. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang, a mother, told us, “I used to worry about sending my child to school because the building wasn’t safe. Now I feel relieved knowing she’s in a good place to learn and grow. It means so much.”
And the children? Their smiles say it all. Five-year-old Tam, with a big smile, shared, “Before, my grandma had to walk me 7 kilometers to school, and I’d miss it when it rained. Now the classroom is closed and so nice. There are toys, and I love coming every day!”
Stories like Tam’s remind us why this work matters. A safe classroom doesn’t just keep children dry when it rains; it opens the door to learning, play, and a brighter future.
Tien Hiep is only one of many schools in need. Across the mountains of Vietnam, thousands of children are still waiting for a safe place to learn. With your continued support, Children of Vietnam can make sure more little ones step into classrooms full of light, laughter, and hope.
Together, we can turn rain-soaked days into bright beginnings