BASF Vietnam rebuilds seventh school

The newly re-built school, with a total area of more than 300 square metres, comprises two classrooms and a playground and aims to improve the academic environment for both teachers and students.

The initiative is being carried out with the support of the Saigon Children’s Charity CIO as part of its school building programme, which pledges to benefit around 100 students annually.

According to Erick Contreras, managing director of BASF Vietnam, the scheme is aligned with the United Nations Sustainability Development Goal of extending quality education to the community.

“Providing and enabling the younger generation with a safe and conducive learning environment is a top priority for us. It’s a rewarding journey, particularly when we progress hand-in-hand with our valued partners to nurture Vietnam's emerging talent,” said Contreras.

The O Trao site of the school, established in 2009, was the focus of this project due to its deteriorating state. The site is home to 162 students, mainly from ethnic minority families, who gain the majority of their income from rice farming or micro businesses.

The roof of the new facility uses panels that meet EU standards and is sponsored by Phuong Nam Panel. The school has been painted with products meeting Green Label Certification, sponsored by Nippon Paint Vietnam, while products from BASF's sustainable raw materials offer environmental advantages and promote health, safety, and energy efficiency. The rebuild was also co-sponsored by MKVN Chemicals, Sam Chem Sphere, Tam Tran Co and Viet Duc Lubricants and Chemicals.

BASF Vietnam is strongly committed to long-term community-centric initiatives, with a focus on educational enhancement. Initiatives like BASF Kids’ Lab, a collaborative effort with Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, has already enriched the lives of 5,000 primary scholars since 2011 by making chemistry fun and hands-on. Additionally, the Virtual Lab, an online platform, intrigues young minds with interactive experiments.

Since 2019, BASF Vietnam and Think Playgrounds have gifted seven public playgrounds to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, turning playtime into a learning experience for many children.

Tra Vinh is a province in the Mekong Delta region in southern Vietnam. The area is populated with many residents of the Khmer ethnic group, accounting for 31 per cent of the population. The average income per person in poor households is around VND615,000 ($27) per month.

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