A Blanket Solution

Written by Nguyen Thi Dzung – Capacity Building and MnE Project Assistant, Nhu Xuan ADP

Children from poor families and those with disabilities living in Nhu Xuan, a mountainous district in Thanh Hoa province, received simple yet essential gifts of 150 warm blankets for the 2014 New Year.

The local Youth Union initiated the project to distribute the blankets in late 2013 and World Vision’s Nhu Xuan Area Development Programme (ADP) provided the finance required.

“We live at quite high altitude, so our winters are pretty cold,” explained Ms Le Thi Quyen, leader of the youth union in Binh Luong community.

“But despite that, many local children don’t have suitable clothes or shoes for the winter. It’s even worse when it’s raining because the roads and tracks become very muddy and pupils arrive at school wet and dirty,” she added. “And sometimes they shiver as they sit in their classrooms.”

“This year it’s been especially cold and wet for us, with the temperature falling below 10 degrees Celsius some days. Adults can’t stand the weather, let alone the children.”

The programme also included other activities, such as a concert, to encourage children to help their peers in need and sessions to raise awareness of child injury prevention, children’s rights, childcare and child protection.

“I was really happy when I got my blanket and I’ve also enjoyed participating in the other activities. I’m very grateful,” said Le Thi Hanh, who belongs to World Vision’s sponsorship programme.

“Quach Thi Hao is only five. Her father died when she was very young and her mother is often sick,” revealed her grandmother. “We didn’t have a thick blanket before and she doesn’t have enough warm clothes, so she was very excited to receive the present.”

Nhu Xuan ADP implements activities aimed at education, health, livelihood development and capacity building, which directly assist 16,700 local people, including 4,500 children.