Updated: October 28, 2023
In the Dang Sron region, a significant number of children from the ethnic minority do not attend school. Even primary-level education is not prioritized due to the daily struggles for food and clothing.
When parents are away seeking daily work, they either bring their children to their workplace, like farms or animal herds, or entrust the care of infants and toddlers to an older sibling, who are often children themselves. Consequently, the majority of 8 to 14-year-olds in this situation remain illiterate.
In response to this circumstance, the Sisters assemble small groups of children and offer basic lessons. Nevertheless, the children often become disinterested and impatient due to the language barrier. Vietnamese, the predominant language, is foreign to them. Additionally, they have other concerns, such as securing meals and tending to their younger siblings, which makes it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies.
Following the support received from Christmas for Breakfast, the Sisters initiated a village-wide search, bringing the children together in an improvised classroom. The "students" often arrived carrying their baby siblings in their arms. In this safe, enjoyable, and affectionate learning environment, they received not only nourishing meals but also essential school lessons. This small yet vibrant classroom offers children a space where they can begin to envision and dare to dream.