【Zhi-Shan Foundation Taiwan Press Release, 20240528】

(May 28, 2024, Taipei) Since 2004, when the Zhi-Shan Foundation established its first well-lit childcare center equipped with a kitchen and restroom in Quang Dien District, Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam, the foundation has been steadily improving conditions for young children in rural areas. Over the past 20 years, supported by donations from Taiwan, the Zhi-Shan Vietnam Early Childhood Care Program has expanded successfully across six provinces in central Vietnam—Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh, Nghe An, and Quang Ngai—benefiting nearly 30,000 children aged 3-6. In the remote Dakrong mountainous area of Quang Tri Province, the malnutrition rate has dropped from 70% to 19% over the past two decades, and the school attendance rate has risen from 10% to nearly 100%. The Zhi-Shan Vietnam Early Childhood Care Program remains committed to ensuring every child is well-nourished, grows healthily, and enjoys attending school.

CEO of Zhi-Shan Foundation, Jay Hung stated, "Over the past 20 years, the Zhi-Shan early childhood care program in central Vietnam has been implemented in three main phases. The first phase involved constructing classrooms and kitchens. The second phase focused on nutrition improvement. The third phase established toy libraries. Each phase introduced innovative services to central Vietnam. Empowering teachers in partner schools has become an indispensable part of the TFCF Vietnam Early Childhood Care Program." In the past, the TFCF invited several Taiwanese early childhood education experts to provide guidance and advice in central Vietnam. However, teachers from the mountainous regions rarely had the opportunity to observe and learn from others. To mark the 20th anniversary of the program, Jay Hung  arranged for 12 officials and principals from the Phu Loc District Education Bureau in Thua Thien-Hue Province, the Dakrong District Education Bureau in Quang Tri Province, the Cam Xuyen District Education Bureau in Ha Tinh Province, and the Thach Ha District Education Bureau in Ha Tinh Province to travel 1,700 km to Taiwan to learn from its advanced early childhood education practices. This initiative aligns with the Zhi-Shan's commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which prioritizes the best interests of the child and guarantees the rights to survival and development for every child.

The delegation from central Vietnam first observed the excellent environment at the preschool attached to Xinhhe Elementary School, followed by a visit to the largest and most well-structured public kindergarten in New Taipei City, Shin-Dain Municipal Kindergarten. During their visit, they exchanged ideas on school management policies, curriculum planning, and learning area design with Principal Liao Tsou-fen, who has extensive experience and has received multiple awards. The delegation expressed that they gained a comprehensive understanding of Taiwan's public kindergarten education policies and learning environments and learned specific content for accompanying young children in the future. Huang Ying-pei, a specialist from the New Taipei City Education Bureau, accompanied the delegation to fulfill the host's duties and extended a sincere invitation to establish sister schools with the Vietnamese representatives, aiming to collaborate on early childhood education for every child.

In addition to visiting and observing Taiwan's early childhood education, the delegation also visited Quang Long Industries, which has supported the nutritional supplementation for children in the Dakrong mountain area of Quang Tri Province for nearly eight years since 2017, to express their heartfelt gratitude. Wang Rui-wen, Deputy General Manager and Chief of Staff of Quang Long Industries, after hearing a comprehensive overview of the Zhi-Shan Vietnam Early Childhood Care Program, reiterated their recognition and support. Wang also promised to assist in delivering essential supplies such as rice and winter clothing to the mountainous areas and to offer job opportunities to university graduates from the TFCF. The principals of Huong Hiep Kindergarten and Hoa Lan Kindergarten in Dakrong County, Quang Tri Province, long supported by Quang Long Industries, presented a painting created by all the teachers and students to express their gratitude for Quang Long's borderless love.

Moreover, to enhance the function and future development of the toy libraries established by the Zhi-Shan in kindergartens across central Vietnam and to ensure children's right to play, the delegation, arranged by the Taiwan Toy Library Association, visited the New Taipei City Toy Bank and the Play Center flagship store. They learned about the diverse aspects of toys and how to organize, recycle, and even repair second-hand toys. Cai Shi Jin-xiang, Director of the Phu Loc District Education Bureau in Thua Thien-Hue Province, one of the delegation members, expressed her gratitude to the TFCF for organizing this learning trip. She was deeply impressed by Taiwan's open and experiential early childhood education methods and by how the New Taipei City Toy Bank harnesses social forces to maximize the benefits of toy donation and recycling. She plans to adjust teaching methods in Hue, encouraging teachers to let children experience their surroundings more and to celebrate children's works, developing their abilities and potential. Nguyen Thi Thanh Van, Principal of Huong Hiep Kindergarten in Dakrong County, Quang Tri Province, was most impressed by how Taiwanese teachers integrate natural environments into classrooms and toy teaching and recycling. She intends to incorporate natural environments into her classroom and instill the concept of cherishing toys among the children when she returns to her school.