In a partnership with SC Johnson, Habitat for Humanity Vietnam launched the project “Improve living conditions for people of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam” to support vulnerable families, especially children, in Thanh Loi commune, Thap Muoi district, Dong Thap province. The project aims to raise awareness on and provide access to adequate housing and proper water, sanitation and hygiene or WASH facilities for better health and well-being.
Habitat Vietnam and SC Johnson supported families and school children through:
- Renovated houses for 10 families, who are the poor households
- Provided access to hygienic toilets for 25 households by building the new latrines of these poor households, who could not afford the appropriate sanitation and hygiene.
Ms. Phuong, the wife of Dao Van Thang, received support to build the new latrine. Her family used open defecation for years as a habit from the previous generation. They didn’t experience any problems until recently when it became very inconvenient for her 59-year-old husband and a 6-year-old grandchild with mental disability to use this toilet at night. She was very touched to now have her own safe and decent toilet that can ensure the health and safety of old people and children.
- The downgraded latrines of Thanh Loi 1 and Thanh Loi 2 primary schools will be renovated to help 230 children and teachers improve their health conditions in school.
Ngo Van En (right) received hygiene kits from a local officer.
- Distributed hygiene kits for 300 vulnerable families, who are living in rural areas of Thanh Loi commune and most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 outbreak, while following safe physical distancing protocols, our local implementing partner Women’s Union of Thanh Loi Commune distributed hygiene kits to vulnerable families. The kits contained reminders on handwashing and other hygienic practices. Habitat staff members also demonstrated proper handwashing practices to reinforce health and safety.
“Habitat Vietnam has been working in Dong Thap province for over 10 years and has always sought to help disadvantaged families obtain equal access to adequate housing. With the support from SC Johnson, more and more people are empowered with disaster-resilient homes and better hygiene and sanitation to improve their safety, their health and wellbeing, enabling them to strive for a better future,” said Bells Regino-Borja, national director of Habitat for Humanity Vietnam. “Housing is a catalyst for resilience.”
