The Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam had a working trip to the central province of Quang Tri to attend an inauguration of a primary school and an Agricutural Product Fair Day, within the framework of the 'Reaching The Furthest Behind' program sponsored by the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam between June 2022 and August 2023.

Seán Farrell, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam, delegates and students at the inauguration ceremony of Cu Tieng Satellite Primary School. Source: Plan International Vietnam

Primary school students in Cu Tieng village had had to study at Ba Tang primary school, 5km away from their village, since the satellite school in Cu Tieng village was seriously degraded. They faced various difficulties in their commuting to school, especially in rainy season when there are severe floods.

In March 2022, while visiting the locality, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam witnessed the difficulties of students in Cu Tieng village and the Irish Embassy, through the 'Reaching the Furthest Behind' project implemented by Plan International Vietnam, committed to support the renovation and upgrading of the Cu Tieng satellite school.

The Embassy of Ireland joined hands with Huong Hoa district’s authority and villagers to complete the construction of one new classroom and lavatory, renovate two severely degraded classrooms and the playground for the satellite school.

The support has brought about a new safe and clean learning space for students in Cu Tieng village. Moreover, the school site also becomes a shelter for villagers during the rainy and stormy season.

An inauguration ceremony of Cu Tieng Satellite Primary School was held on August 24 with the participation of Seán Farrell, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam, representative of Plan International Vietnam, representatives of Huong Hoa District’s Education Department, other agencies and departments in the commune, as well as teachers and students at the school.

Seán Farrell, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam, attends the Local Agricultural Product Fair Day. Source: Plan International Vietnam

During the trip, Farrell also attended a Local Agricultural Product Fair Day at the Cultural Center of Dakrong district, held by the Women's Union of Dakrong district together with Plan International Vietnam on August 25.

With the desire to promote the role of women in economic decisions at home and in the community, the Women's Union of Dakrong district in particular and the Vietnam Women's Union in general and its partners have made great efforts to create favorable environment for women in villages to pursue business plans.

These efforts aim to enhance the status of women, and at the same time contribute to the creation of locally appropriate poverty reduction models and increase women's incomes.

According to Nguyen Thi Ty, chairwoman of Dakrong District Women's Union, the event aims to introduce and promote typical products produced, raised, and processed by women-led groups in the district and bring clean and safe products closer to consumers.

It is also an opportunity for livelihood models, members, and women of communes, especially those in the 'Reaching The Furthest Behind' program, to share experiences and knowledge on production, farming, and product processing. Thereby, encouraging women to actively work in production and reduce poverty in a sustainable way. This is an activity to effectively implement the project 'Supporting women in entrepreneurship' under the Women’s Union’s portfolio.

Seán Farrell, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam, visits A Ho bamboo shoot drying model by Van Kieu women in Ba Floor commune, Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province. Source: Plan International Vietnam

Meeting directly with representatives of livelihood groups and better understanding the concerns, desires, and difficulties of mountainous women, Farrell, on behalf of the Irish Embassy in Vietnam, had a few words stressed that accompanying and respecting the wishes of the community, especially vulnerable groups of women, has always been the approach of the Irish Embassy in Vietnam.

"With the new 5-year development strategy in Vietnam, we will continue to be a reliable partner of the Government in joining hands to change the lives of poor communities in mountainous areas,” he affirmed.

“The program contributes to changing gender perceptions that are limiting the development and participation of women in the community, especially women with vulnerable characteristics such as poor women, women with disabilities, and single women. And one of the key components of the program is providing opportunities for women to pursue entrepreneurial ventures,” shared Le Quynh Lan, Program Impact and Partnership Manager of Plan International Vietnam.

The fair welcomed the participation of women-owned livelihood groups from 14 communes and towns of Dakrong and Huong Hoa districts, such as the broom-making livelihood group, cooperative groups on local banana variety, cooperative groups on dried bamboo shoots, and groups of sticky rice production. Each model is the determination and efforts of women with the desire to change living situations as well as affirming the contribution and role of women in the community.

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