Sponsor children in the village of My Luong, nestled between plains and rice fields
Sponsored children: 0 of 6
My Luong, in the heart of the Mekong Delta
The small commune of Mỹ Lương is located in south-western Vietnam, at the heart of the Mekong Delta region. This vast alluvial plain, formed by the branches of the Mekong River before it flows into the sea, is often referred to as ‘Vietnam’s rice bowl’. It plays a vital role in the country’s agriculture, but remains marked by significant social and economic inequalities.
Mỹ Lương is surrounded by villages scattered amongst rice fields and canals. The majority of residents make a living from rice farming, small-scale livestock rearing or seasonal work. Incomes are generally unstable, modest, and heavily dependent on weather conditions and fluctuations in agricultural prices. Natural hazards, such as seasonal flooding or periods of drought, further undermine the most vulnerable families.
THE FAMILIES OF MY LUONG'S SPONSORED CHILDREN
The parents of the sponsored children are manual workers, small shopkeepers or day labourers, with unstable jobs, and struggle to cover their children’s school fees.
- Low incomes: The average income of sponsored children’s families is between 4 and 6 million dong per month (approximately 150 to 220 euros), an amount insufficient to cover basic needs and the costs associated with the children’s education.
- Precarious living conditions: The majority of sponsored children’s families live in modest homes, built of brick, cement and corrugated iron, with an average floor area of 40 to 60 m². However, some still live in rented accommodation or without a permanent plot of land, which exacerbates their economic vulnerability.
Our local programme manager, Sister Trân
Sister Trân belongs to the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence, whose motherhouse is in Portieux, France. She is in charge of the Muy Luong programme; she monitors the sponsored children’s education by visiting them regularly and ensures that the sponsorship funds are managed properly.
What does my sponsorship of My Luong achieve?
- Enabling the sponsored child to attend school: Parents agree to let their child study because the loss of income (the child can no longer help their parents) is partly offset by the sponsorship. Our local representatives work to convince families of the importance of school.
- Helping their families: your sponsorship covers your sponsored child’s school fees, school supplies and extra tuition. Any surplus funds are used by the sisters to provide the sponsored child with the best possible learning environment: buying food, home repairs, healthcare costs…
