International co-operation helps improve living standard in rural areas

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), its delegation has surveyed several typical international co-operation projects in the fields of education, healthcare, hunger eradication and poverty reduction in the northern province of Thai Nguyen.

Thai Nguyen province has seen a remarkable increase of the number of foreign non-governmental (FNG) aid projects as well as their disbursed values over recent years. So far, the province has established close relations with nearly 50 FNGOs.

Being a mountainous province with many difficulties, Thai Nguyen has always respected the enthusiastic support from international friends, said Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Doan Van Tuan.

The FNGs have not only helped the province develop its economy but also acted as a friendship bridge between the province and other countries.

Notably, the VUFO and Thai Nguyen's UFO have made important contributions to the implementation of aid projects, particularly in opening training courses on the work of NGO aid for officers.

The Learning Resource Centre under the Thai Nguyen University is a testament to the efficiency of the non-governmental projects that were invested in and operate in the province. The centre, sponsored and funded by the US-based Atlantic Philanthropies organisation, was constructed in 2007 with a total investment of nearly US$7 million.

With a spacious campus and modern facilities, the centre is used for local people to study and research technology and scientific advances, significantly contributing to promoting the movement to study as well as improving literacy among the province's residents.

"In recent years, we have tried to utilise the experience as well as advanced technologies from international friends to make the centre become a bright spot for international co-operation in the province", shared the centre's Director Nguyen Duy Hoan.

Funds from NGOs have contributed to improving learning conditions for children and young people as well as the lives of people in remote villages and communes.

Located 13 kilometres from Thai Nguyen city's centre, Van Han commune is a typical example of effectively utilising non-governmental funding to improve the quality of people's lives. With the proportion of ethnic minorities reaching nearly 50% of the population, the commune has received the special attention from the Plan organisation.

The Plan has helped the Van Han Secondary School to build a two-floor building with 10 classrooms and equip them with 140 sets of school furniture as well as raise money for students living in difficult circumstances.

In addition to education, Van Han has also received valuable aid in other fields, including production, healthcare and science. Chairman of Van Han commune's People Committee Vi Ngoc Thi emphasised that thanks to support from FNGOs, the local people could participate in training courses on techniques of production, breeding, cultivating as well as knowledge about reproductive health.

In order to achieve the above results, Vietnam and FNGOs have persistently built effective and mutually equal and respectful partnerships. The humanitarian and development activities over the past years have significantly contributed to poverty reduction and sustainable development as well as building and implementing the priority targets in Vietnam.

(Source: Nhandan Online)