Kindergarten in Vietnam's northern highlands gets boarding kitchen after two decades

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After more than 20 years of cooking in a makeshift kitchen, teachers and students at Na Chac campus of Na Hang Kindergarten now have a new facility with modern equipment.

The new kitchen at Na Chac campus in the northern mountainous Tuyen Quang Province began serving meals on Nov. 11, replacing a makeshift structure built from corrugated iron and scrap wood more than two decades ago.

Located more than 20 kilometers from the center of Na Hang along steep hillside roads, the campus has nearly 40 children, most from the Dao ethnic community. Many live several kilometers away along forest trails, making boarding meals essential to their ability to attend school.

Principal Hoang Thi Hang said parents and teachers built the old kitchen in 2003. Over the years, its roof developed holes and its wooden walls rotted in the damp conditions.

"We had to keep patching the roof just to keep the rain and heat out, because there was never any money for a new kitchen," Hang said. "In winter the cold wind blew in from every direction, the food went cold the moment it was cooked, and we were always worried about mold and termites affecting food safety."

Hope Foundation partnered with Honda Trading Vietnam Co., Ltd. to fund the replacement facility, with sponsorship totaling VND274 million (US$10,670). The funding covered construction and kitchen equipment, including an industrial rice cooker, gas stoves, pots, pans, a food processor, sinks and stainless-steel racks.

The kitchen is designed with a one-way workflow to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

At the inauguration ceremony, Takahashi Ryo, general director of Honda Trading Vietnam, said the facility would help improve daily meals for children in the remote community.

"Through this project we want to express care and solidarity, hoping to bring meaningful change for the children," Ryo said. "With a new kitchen, they will have more nutritious meals."

He also said he hoped the project would encourage teachers to remain in remote communities and motivate children to attend school regularly.

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