Tra Bong Project, Vietnam

See the progress you helped make happen in your sponsored community

When the project started, many farming families were struggling to grow enough food and earn income. Many children suffered with preventable diseases and education quality was low.

Thanks to your support, your sponsored child and other children in the Tra Bong community have improved access to quality education, good healthcare and nutritious food and their families have more opportunities to earn income.

Before your help,  schools were in disrepair and lacked basics like safe playgrounds. Now children are learning in bright, colourful and well-equipped classrooms.

Together we've achieved so much

The percentage of children enrolled in pre-school has almost tripled

By 2016, over 73 percent of children were attending pre-school following improvements to facilities and teacher training.

  • Seven primary schools were supported with teaching aids and facilities improvements between 2012 and 2016 so children are now learning in greater comfort and safety. In addition, 164 teachers took part in skills training.
  • Teenagers who drop out of school have access to vocational training courses to help them find stable jobs. Many young people in the community are now earning their own income after completing apprenticeships in fields including motorcycle repairs.  

More than 2,360 mothers and caregivers have regularly taken part in nutrition clubs

There they have learned about the importance of breastfeeding, good hygiene and how to prepare nutritious meals for their children with foods that are readily available.

  • Families have much better access to healthcare and health information after over 160 health workers received training. They are now providing families with advice and support on how to prevent common childhood diseases and improve child health and nutrition. 
  • More than 85 percent of households had access to clean water by 2016. This was up from 57 percent when the project began. The project worked closely with local authorities and the community to install wells and improve water storage facilities. 

More than 90 percent of families can meet their children's needs through farming

The project helped to increase farmers’ access to training in livestock raising, quality veterinary services and business skills.

  • 22 veterinarians and 20 government agriculture staff have gained skills and knowledge to support, train and advise local farmers how to improve crop production and raise healthy livestock. 
  • Many farmers have expanded the area where they are growing rice following improvements to irrigation systems and training in improved production methods. This has contributed to an increase in average rice yields.

"[My] sponsor always encouraged me in studying ... They really inspire me to become a teacher."

- Thuy, aged 14, sponsored child

Knowledge changes everything

Like many other parents in their village, Yến and her husband always worked hard as day labourers. But low pay and long hours spent working away from home meant they struggled to take good care of their two young children, both who suffered from malnutrition. 

Things began to change for Yến’s family after she joined her local child nutrition club, one of several in the Tra Bong community supported by generous child sponsors like you. 

“In the nutrition club, I learned to cook nutritious porridge for children by using resources affordable and available in the village,” Yen explained.  

As well as improving her children’s health, this knowledge enabled Yến to start her own small business selling ingredients for nutritious porridge to other mothers. To increase her income, she also started selling snacks and soft drinks to people passing by her shop. 

Her daily income has risen to around A$15, which is enough for her to take good care of her children. She’s proud to be the first woman from her ethnic community to own a shop in the local area. 

Things began to change for Yến’s family after she joined her local child nutrition club, one of several in the Tra Bong community supported by generous child sponsors like you. 

“In the nutrition club, I learned to cook nutritious porridge for children by using resources affordable and available in the village,” Yen explained.  

As well as improving her children’s health, this knowledge enabled Yến to start her own small business selling ingredients for nutritious porridge to other mothers. To increase her income, she also started selling snacks and soft drinks to people passing by her shop. 

Her daily income has risen to around A$15, which is enough for her to take good care of her children. She’s proud to be the first woman from her ethnic community to own a shop in the local area. 

"Now my husband can stay with us, he does not need to go working in the south, far away from his family anymore. Instead, we work together on our small business. "

- Yen, mother and successful business owner