The new house of Mrs Dao Thi Thu looks very peaceful from afar. There is a walkway leading visitors to the house. Along the path was a lake in still reflecting two areca palms. Together with a moderate yet solid house, they all pose a pleasant scene on a breezy summer day.

No matter how beautiful a house is, it is not complete if it lacks clean water and sanitation facilities. The family of Pham The Manh 56 and Luong Thi My 58 had been living in that situation for 18 years since the house was built in 1996 in Minh Chau village, Dong Minh commune, Tien Hai district, Thai Binh province. Although it doesn’t have any storey or a big garden, it is their pride of an adequate home. However, the shortage of safe water and hygiene toilet had been a distress of the family that could only be swept away until Manh and My became home-partner of Habitat Vietnam (HFHV).

Habitat Vietnam (HFHV) visited Mr Do Van Chanh, 56 years old, and his family while they were drying paddy. On a glory sunny day, its yellow color was shining the front yard like embodiment of famer’s optimism for a bumper crop. There are two harvesting seasons per year in May and October that keep his family busy, yet they are beyond happiness as good fruit will be seeded out of hard work. Inside the house is full of packs of paddy ready for sale. Since its recent renovation, the house allows a space more ample and neater not only for the family’s living but also for their production.

The impacts of climate change on our world are becoming increasingly visible. Ranging from biodiversity loss, rising seas to more frequent extreme weather, they are devastating the natural world we cherish and threatening our very livelihoods. In support of efforts to raise global awareness of environmental issues, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 to help attract public attention and stimulate action towards environmental preservation.