INAUGURATION OF THE NEW SCHOOL TOILETS AT PHAM VAN HAI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Under the bright April morning sun, the courtyard of Pham Van Hai Primary School (Binh Chanh District) was livelier than usual. Laughter and eager eyes of students filled the air, blending into the warm and respectful atmosphere of the inauguration ceremony for the newly renovated school toilet — a special gift just for them.

To many adults, a restroom might seem like a minor facility. But for schoolchildren, it’s a vital space that safeguards their daily health and safety. In the past, when the toilets were in poor condition, many students would avoid using them, choosing instead to “hold it in” — a habit that, though seemingly small, could greatly impact their well-being and mental health.

“Now the new toilet is spotless, it looks like a hotel! I’m no longer scared it’ll be dirty or slippery like before!” — shared Huyen, a 4th grader, with a big smile when asked about the new facility.

The project “Safe Flush” initiated by ASIF Foundation and carried out in partnership with the Vietnam Youth Federation in Ho Chi Minh City, with TTC AgriS as the main sponsor, has brought a fresh wave of change to suburban schools across the city. More than just infrastructure, the project also incorporated training sessions and communications activities to raise awareness on personal hygiene practices, water conservation, injury prevention, and gender education — all aimed at nurturing both knowledge and healthy habits among students, parents, and schools.

Ms. Lan, homeroom teacher of class 5A, emotionally shared:

“Schools aren’t just places to teach reading and writing — they’re where we teach children safe, clean, and civil habits for life. With this facility in place, both teachers and parents feel much more reassured. More importantly, the students are learning to appreciate and take care of shared spaces themselves.”

Pham Van Hai Primary School is just one of five locations that benefited from the project, which completed a total of 28 toilet clusters at:

·       Tan Thanh Dong 3 Primary School (Cu Chi)

·       Long Thanh My Primary School (Thu Duc)

·       Le Minh Xuan 3 Primary School (Binh Chanh)

·       Linh Xuan Center for Child Care and Protection (Thu Duc)

·       Pham Van Hai Primary School (Binh Chanh)

With a total investment of nearly 5 billion VND, these seemingly modest facilities carry an enormous hope that every student can enjoy a safe, clean, and loving school environment.

Though this journey is far from over, each completed toilet block marks a significant step forward in building a safe, friendly, and compassionate school environment.

Ms. Vo Hoang Nga, representative of TTC AgriS, shared:

“We believe a clean school environment is the foundation for holistic child development. This project not only improves infrastructure but also raises awareness about hygiene and health. TTC AgriS is proud to join hands with ASIF Foundation and the Vietnam Youth Federation in Ho Chi Minh City to bring positive change to the community.”

ASIF Foundation truly believes that the radiant smiles seen today will inspire children to love their school, their class, and their lives — starting with the simplest of things: a clean and safe toilet.