Bình Phú - May 2004
Consistent with our mission in bringing schools to the neediest of children in rural Viet Nam, Sunflower Mission has funded and completed the construction of an elementary school in Binh Phu commune (Chau Phu district, An Giang province). Sunflower Mission representatives were at the completion ceremony which was held in June 2004, to transfer care and custody of the new school to the local community.
The total funding for the Binh Phu elementary school was 9,900 USD. This included the construction of 3 class rooms, lighting, fans, classroom furniture and toilet. The local community was responsible for providing the land and the necessary land preparation for the school.
The new school will hold classes for the children during the day and for adults during the evening. Sunflower Mission will continue to follow progress of the students and will include this school in its scholarship program.
The Binh Phu commune was selected as the neediest area within the Chau Phu district. It received first priority due to the poor and unsafe condition of the existed classrooms. Binh Phu commune has over 150 elementary students. There were 2 straw huts on dirt floor that were being used as class rooms. Each classroom served 3 classes per day. These classrooms were in a very poor condition with no proper facilities or toilets. They did not meet the minimum safety and sanitary requirements for the students.
Chau Phu district has 680 children at elementary school age. The average distance between each elementary school is 5 km. Most of the people in this district are peasants whose livelihoods come solely from one rice crop per year. Agricultural production is not stable, and very much dependent on nature. Annual income per person is 100 USD.
