Blog

A healthy start for children in Sepone and Phin

Dear donors,                                                                                                                                        June 26, 2025

Life in Sepone and Phin is tough. Most people in this region in Laos, close to the Vietnamese province of Quang Tri, make a living from agriculture. However, the poor soil yields little and the yield is not very nutritious. As a result, children do not get enough to eat and lag behind in their physical and mental development due to malnutrition. They are also vulnerable to diseases. Their parents are very concerned about this, but they do not have the knowledge and experience to improve the food situation for their children and themselves. Schools and health posts are difficult to reach for the people in these municipalities due to the great distances. MCNV has developed a program that successfully tackles these problems. We also want to realize the structural improvements that were previously achieved in Nong in Sepone and Phin.

Successful multidisciplinary program

More than ten years ago we started this program in the municipality of Nong and in the ten years since then we have broadened and deepened the program together with the AFAS Foundation and with our private donors. This broad, multidisciplinary approach and the collaboration with local partners (health service, agricultural organizations, village health workers, schools and -last but not least- the villagers themselves) has positively changed the situation in Nong and Sepone.

Continue in Sepone and Phin

Last year we made an agreement with the municipality of Sepone to continue the collaboration in this project for another three years. The neighboring municipality of Phin joined in. The goal is to improve the food situation and the health of more than 700 young children and their families (2850 people in total) in those three years. We will do this, just like in the past ten years, with the same multidisciplinary program.

Triodos Foundation will participate for the next three years and the AFAS Foundation will also remain our permanent partner until the end of 2027. All income and donations together mean that we can really do a lot, reach more people and realize more structural improvements.

Our question

Will you join us to give the children in Sepone and Phin a healthy start? Every donation is very welcome.

Many thanks in advance for the (extra) gift!

Warmest,

Karin Vlug

Disabled, and still going to school

In recent decades, there has been an incredible improvement for children with disabilities and their
parents in the provinces where MCNV has given its support. All kinds of activities in the field of
education, patient associations, rehabilitation, but also support in improving the income of the
poorest families for basic necessities such as food, clothing and medicine.

We have continued this economic and educational approach and activities -from the beginning of
2000- to this day. As a result, children feel more accepted because they have acquired a place in
society, because they can communicate and exchange their experiences with peers in their own
village. The parents are also proud and see how important it is for the children to belong and no
longer be excluded.

Our plans for 2025 and 2026.
Building on the results of the project in 2023 and 2024, and to strengthen the impact and
sustainability of these results, MCNV and Hy Vong Special School Quy Nhon plan to continue their
collaboration in 2025 and 2026. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of education for children
with disabilities at this school, but also for children with disabilities who live and go to school
elsewhere in Binh Dinh province. This can be achieved by joining forces and working closely with the
education sector and health services.

Objectives
• improve knowledge and skills in setting up early detection and providing appropriate help to
children and their families as early as possible;
• improve knowledge in the field of early detection and treatment for regular schools so that
children with disabilities can also be admitted;
• raise awareness in the communities and among local partners, school staff and educationists in
Binh Dinh province.

The organisational costs and management of the schools and rehabilitation centers are fully paid by
the Vietnamese (provincial) government. MCNV offers material support to these schools and
rehabilitation centers by providing the necessary resources and teaching materials for learning basic
skills such as reading, writing and playing. And by increasing the knowledge and skills of all those
involved – children, parents, school staff and local partners – we provide the breeding ground for a
caring environment.

In remote areas like Binh Dinh, the same problems are playing a role and it would be wonderful if we
could support more schools and children on their way to a hopeful and independent future with our
MCNV experience and MCNV approach!

Many thanks in advance for your (extra) donation!

Pham Dung, MCNV Director Vietnam & Nguyen Thanh Thuy, Education specialist MCNV