(VNF) – 50 students of Song Cau primary school (Phu Yen) on August 28 received their special new school year gifts: floating backpacks, which can help them stay safe in case of flood.

Students receives floating backpack to ensure safety during flood season (source: Son Tinh project)

The backpacks were presented to the students as part of Son Tinh project, aiming at reducing the number of drowning victims in flooding season and mitigate the damages caused by natural disasters.

Beside receiving 2-in-1 backpacks, the students were equipped with necessary knowledges and skills in dealing with emergency cases and aftermath recovery.

In two days (August 25 -26), the students, their parents, and teachers of Song Cau primary school had chance to learn various first aids technique such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), choking airway obstruction preventation. The workshop was conducted by the Social Work Team from Faculty of Public Health, HCM.City University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

"Hazards mapping" activity (source: Son Tinh project)

In addition, beneficiary of Son Tinh project received instruction from the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program Philippines 2016 Alumnus on how to stay safe during natural disasters like storms and flood, through joining interactive game such as “Hazards mapping" and learned about the importance of environment protection.

Furthermore, under the instruction of project coordinator Nguyen The Hung, former member of Young South East Asian Leaders Initiative Academic Fellow at the University of Montana, the floating garden was installed in Song Cau primary school yard, aiming to ensure food security for the people during the flood, since the school is considered one of the “evacuation centers” in the locality.

Floating garden being transferred to Song Cau school to supply food in case of flood and for training purpose (source: Son Tinh project)

When it is not in flooding season, floating garden is used as teaching model for the students.

On August 27, wind turbines were installed in 6 needy households by Green Interior company. Wind turbine is used to supply electricity in case of power disruption, and also can be used in daily life, to help the household eliminate the cost of power.

Tran Quang Khanh, student of class 5C, Song Cau primary school, said “The workshop helps me gain relevant knowledges and skills in providing first aids for victims of drowning, electrical shocks and breathing difficulty. Now I will be able to apply what I’ve learnt to real life situation, supports others when they need, and share my experience with my friends who are yet to have access to training.”

Wind turbine was installed as part of Son Tinh project to generate power in case of disruption due to flood (source: Son Tinh project)

Nguyen Ngoc Linh Thao, student of the International University, HCM.City National University, a member of the project coordinating team said: “After taking part in the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program Philippines 2016, I’ve gained vast knowleges of floods which is very useful for students in affected areas. Everytime conducting training for the kids, what make me happy the most is seeing their smile when get access to new knowledge. I hope that the knowledge and skills will be applied effectively and disseminated further in the community.”

In the time to come, Son Tinh will focus on completing its models in Nam Dinh and Phu Yen province, particularly in installing wind turbines and floating garden. In the future, the team expects to replicate the model in other provinces which are also affected by flood.

Son Tinh project is initiated by 4 Vietnamese participants from the ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program ( AYVP) 2016 in the Philippines. The project also receives sponsorship from the International Exchange Alumni Small Grant Competition (US Embassy), the Young South East Asian Leaders Initiative Academic and VNPT Phu Yen.

Son Tinh is part of "Float in Flood" project, which was successfully implemented in Quang Nam province (2015) and An Giang province (2016)./.

( Phi Yen )