Thai Binh by the Sea

April 30, 2017

During the month of April, we have been working in Thai Binh, to start our new latrine projects in thirteen elementary and middle schools. Thai Binh is about a two hour drive, southeast of Hanoi, towards the ocean. It is in the farming area, and as we have traveled through the countryside, it has been very enjoyable, as well as a delight to see, all the green rice fields and many water buffalo. We've passed by several motorbikes transporting baby ducks to farms in the area; there are LOTS of duck farms here.

Baby ducklings going to their new home.

The projects, we are working on, are very much needed in this area. The children in the schools, we are targeting, only have a “squatty potty” type toilet, most of which were the original toilets put in the schools in the 50s and 60s. Many of them, without clean running water -- the people usually have to use a bucket to help wash the waste away.

Old latrine to be replaced

One school didn’t even have the typical rudimentary toilet facilities -- the fields and bushes have been their restroom. The new restrooms, we are constructing, will have Western style toilets, with clean, running water, a hand washing area, and will meet the WHO standard. Also, part of the project is sanitation education. Our assignment from the Church is to inspect the project area, and make sure it has a clean running water source, a drain field, and then deliver a water purifying system. As we begin these latrine construction projects, we've participated in ground breaking ceremonies. At two of the schools, these ceremonies were quite a big deal -- complete with pictures, bouquets of flowers and speeches.

Ground breaking ceremony

All of the projects, we take on, are made possible with the humanitarian funds from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and are partnered with Mr. Giang and the Red Cross of Thai Binh. We love Mr. Giang! He is a very sweet man that is working hard to improve the living conditions in his province.  One thing we emphasize to the people we help, is that monies for the projects are donated by families in our Church. We tell them that these families sacrifice to help make the children of Vietnam healthier. Families are very important to the people of Southeast Asia, and they love the idea that we, as Church members, place such an important emphasis on the family.

As we have the opportunity to work on projects for the humble people here in Vietnam, and see how much lives are improved, the humanitarian funds that have been donated by our Church members, have become much more sacred to us. These projects are so needed, worthwhile, and very much appreciated. All that we are able to accomplish, is made possible because of these donations. Besides our clean water projects, we are also involved in distributing wheelchairs at hospitals, infant resuscitation and maternal care education, vision projects, and providing physical education equipment for disabled children.

…ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need… Mosiah 4:16

Sister and Elder Thomason