Pupils empower pupils

On our way with the bus to the second field visit, it is once again crazy with all the cars, mopeds, bikes and people. Most of the people on mopeds wear special face masks to protect them from the exhaust. Many have their kids or even babies with them on the mopeds. Amazingly dangerous, never saw something this before!

Today’s destination was the primary school Tran Van in the Go Vap district, where the child-friendly environment project described in yesterdays’ blog is also implemented. We arrived at the school at 08:00 and got a very warm welcome from the children. It’s was so emotional!!!

The school has 29 classrooms for about 1,400 pupils and it is very difficult for teachers to hold lessons. They thus use a microphone to amplify their voices.

Standing in the courtyard, we were suddenly surrounded by hundreds of pupils asking for our names, origins, ages etc. It was sensational to see these pupils who live under such rough conditions so happy.

Afterwards, we joined a classroom session where specially trained pupils from the Save the Children project told younger pupils about child rights and child protection.

They played a game where the pupils needed to put green, orange and red stickers on images of a boy and girl, indicating where adults are allowed to touch a kid and where not. Pupils empower pupils, great!

We spent a really fantastic day with Save the Children and the pupils! We could sense the motivation of the kids and teachers for this project. We will keep these emotions for a long time with us.

We are looking forward to tomorrow.