The Cargill Cares programme on March 16 announced the opening of five new schools in Dien Bien, Cao Bang, Yen Bai and Ha Giang provinces.

The four provinces represent four of the nation's five lowest in terms of per capita GRDP for the nation, offering limited opportunities for education. Cargill Vietnam hopes to provide better opportunities that a solid educational grounding can bring to future generations of kids from these communities.

“Education is essential to raise the quality of life for kids and their families in places like Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) where the average income is a third lower than the national average,” said Cargill Country President in Vietnam Nguyen Ba Luan.

“This has led Cargill to geo-prioritise this zone for schools in the years to come, and our announcement of five new schools today sees us delivering on our promise to these communities," said Luan.

The five new schools follow Cargill Vietnam opening Quang Nam Province's Que Phong Primary School late last year, where 150 students enjoyed their new library and four-classroom facility located 30km southwest of the city of Hoi An.

Cargill has invested more than VND10 billion into some of Viet Nam's neediest communities and has opened 111 schools since 1996. — VNS