China Medical University Hospital (CMUH) collaborated with World Vision to launch a campaign aiming at bringing clean water to the communities in need in Vietnam. The campaign, titled "Sending Love Away: Providing Clean Water for Children - Medical Staffs Walk Together", will provide clean water and improve water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices in Thach Thanh district, Thanh Hoa province. 
 

The press conference was held at the CMUH in Taiwan, with virtual connection to Thanh My Kindergarten in Thach Thanh district of Vietnam. 
 

Thach Thanh, located 70km away from the provincial center, is one of the particularly difficult districts of Thanh Hoa province in the central of Vietnam. Around 40% of households drink unfiltered water, and many kindergartens and elementary schools have to provide children with drinking water without proper treatment. In addition, the local people's WASH practices are still poor. Such challenging situations have led to 20% of children under five in Thach Thanh suffering development delays.
 

The donation of 1 million Taiwanese dollars (equivalent to approx. VND 780,000,000) from CMUH will go to the construction of water supply systems, toilets and handwashing facilities in five targeted communes of Thach Thanh district. Communication sessions will also be implemented to improve WASH practices among local people, especially children.
The press conference was kicked off with a short film named "Walk for Love", where Mr. Der-Yang, CHO, the President of CMUH led the senior managers and employee representatives to actively participate in public welfare.
 

“In Taiwan, there is always clean tap water available whenever you turn on the faucet. I have never realized the situation that taking several hours walking through mountains and rivers to take the water for daily use,” said Mr. Der-Yang, CHO. “Lacking of water, polluted water and insufficient sanitation facilities will seriously affect food security, livelihood options, and even children's right to education in vulnerable areas. I hope that through this press conference, everyone will pay attention to the WASH issues.”
 

During the press conference, the activity of filtering the dirty water and made it become clean represents the meaning of this “Sending Love Away” campaign.  Also, this action also symbolizes providing endless love and hope for children.
 

Children from Thanh My Kindergarten in Vietnam also performed a hand-washing dance. The cute smiles on their little faces and the innocent and shining eyes conveyed joy, as if they could finally wash their hands with clean water!
 

“The valuable support of the China Medical University Hospital through World Vision Taiwan will bring clean water to 2,500 people, thereby helping local children and communities enjoy good health and thrive,” said Mr. Ngo Cong Thanh – Central Zonal Program Manager, World Vision International in Vietnam. “World Vision is committed to implementing the project effectively, creating positive impacts to the child wellbeing in Thach Thanh district.”
 

Improving WASH conditions and practices is among the top priorities of World Vision’s Health & Nutrition technical program in Vietnam. Our WASH interventions, including Community-Led Total Sanitation and Household Water Treatment & Safe Storage; Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation; and Child Hygiene and Sanitation Training have been implemented to identify and resolve the root causes of diarrhea and other waterborne diseases. In 2023, with the support of sponsors and donors worldwide as well as local partners in Vietnam, we were able to install 2,020 household sanitation facilities and helped 10,463 people across Vietnam gain access to basic drinking water service.