Ho Van Binh decided to donate over one hectare of his farming lands to local authorities in order to build a high school in his commune.

The first high school of Hong Van commune right behind Ho Van Binh’s house.

The first high school in the Hong Van commune is located right behind Binh’s house where his acacia garden used to be. Though he and his wife have to go further up to fields in the mountains to work, they still feel happy for this worthwhile cause.

“We have three children. They have put in a lot of effort to go to school because their schools are so far away from our house and they have to walk miles to get there.” said Binh.

Binh is among the symbolic examples of Pakoh, Co Tu, and Ta Oi ethnic minorities who contribute their land for school construction in favour of their next generation’s education.

“Earlier it was not so easy to campaign and make them understand the land usage purposes because they thought that the government cheated them to occupy their lands. But after 1998 with a series of propaganda and public mobilisation, ethnic people have been aware of land usage purposes so they are very willing to donate their land to help future generations.” said Nguyen Xuan Vinh, Chairman of Hong Van People’s Committee.

After the government disseminated education interests, locals have come to know what their off-springs need and lack. They have no hesitance to give their hard-earned land up in exchange for building schools.

Ho Van Thiet, Vice chairman of Hong Van People’s Committee, is amongst those who pioneered the land donation movement. He has given 6,000 square metres of his farming land to the local authorities for school construction. He said, “It’s better for our off-springs to be literate. It should eliminate “illiteracy” for Pakoh people.”

Kan Dao, 65, made her whole hamlet surprised when she gave up 2,000 square meters near her house to authorities for construction of a medical station. Even though she does not have any land left near her house to work, she was happy to do that. She said, “If we do not have rice to eat, we can eat corn or sweet potatoes instead. But nothing is more important than health. I am willing to give my land to build a medical station for people here when they need.”

Kan Dao gave up her own land to build a medical station for her commune