DOCUMENTARY: POSITIVE FOOTPRINTS - VIETNAM
This 25 minute documentary film was made by Trent O'Donnell for the Positive Footprints series about his experience on this project. Join 11 travellers as they toil against time, the elements and tragedy to help build a new classroom and deliver much needed school supplies for the students at Xo village, high in the remote Mai Chau Highlands of Vietnam.
Positive Footprints - Vietnam from WorldNomads on Vimeo.
Final project Report
On the back of the classroom renovations
that were carried out by a World Expeditions group in Dec 07,
Footprints provided funding for new learning materials that would
enhance the new environment and help improve the quality of education.
The purchases included:
- Outdoor play toys including a slide, see-saw and rocking horse
- Small kitchen and doctor toy sets
- Bookshelf, plastic tables and chairs
- Kitchen Equipment including kettles, bowl, spoons, cookers
- Blankets and Standing fans
- Children’s backpacks
- Nutritional supplements for one-year
Project Outcomes
The
renovation work to the classrooms will ensure that the children will
have a clean and sturdy kindergarten in which to learn.
Some
equipment purchased will allow teacher to keep the school cooler in hot
weather (fans) and also keep children warm in cooler weather (blankets).
The toys enable play-based learning and create an enjoyable, comfortable environment.
The nutritional supplements will assist with the children’s health.
Since
the local community was involved in the project they will take
ownership of the building and ensure it is well maintained. The
community thoroughly enjoyed working with the World Expeditions group
and provided a wonderful “gala dinner” complete with a traditional local
performance for them on the last days.
Project Challenges
The
worst strom in 50 years - Typhoon Lekima - passed through the area a
couple of weeks before the project started and meant delays with
equipment and additional transport and labour costs. The classroom
renovations were not finished by the time the World Expeditions group
departed but were finished a few days later by the local community. The
equipment funded by Footprints arrived when the renovations were
complete.
(Update posted 24 January 07)
Why is this project required:
Schooling is free in Xom Van village, the government pays for the teacher, however families must pay for the children’s books and clothing which in many cases makes schooling prohibitive for s"ome children.
This project will cover:
Following an upgrade of the school that World Expeditions will undertake in October 07, this project will provide funding for desks, chairs, books and computer equipment in order to make the environment conducive to learning.
Community Involvement:
Xom Van is a remote village that is accessed by foot half a days walk from the closest vehicle access point. World Expeditions have been operating trekking adventures in this remote region of Vietnam for 7 years and during this time it has become clear that many of the minority villages in this area do not receive much, if any funding from the government for things such as schooling. Following close consultation with the Village Head, the village of Xom Van was identified by one of our local guides as a village in need of better school facilities.
Part of a larger project:
During October 2007 World Expeditions and our local operator have organised for a group of 16 travellers to spend 4 days in the village upgrading the school including replacing the dilapidated wooden classroom with a new concrete structure.
If you wish to get involved, join World Expeditions Community Project in Xom Van village to upgrade the school.
How was it this funded?
Thanks to hundreds of tiny donations from these online businesses and their customers.
- ***WorldNomads.com.au
- ***WorldNomads.co.nz
- World Nomads USA
- World Nomads Canada
- www.WorldNomads.com
- ***World Nomads UK
World Expeditions is one of the world’s original adventure travel companies. They have earned an impeccable reputation through the unique experiences they
provide in the field, through an environmental philosophy of minimal
impact travel, and for the special quality of giving something back to
the communities visited. Footprints partners with World Expeditions' on selected community travel projects to provide funding for materials.