HCMC – More than 600 students from Hong Thai Primary School in Yen Bai City returned to classes on Monday, September 23, after they were forced to stay at home due to severe flooding being induced by typhoon Yagi.
The storm hit Hong Ha Ward, where most of the students live. Many homes were inundated and school supplies were swept away by floodwaters, affecting more than 60% of the school’s teachers and students.
Hong Thai Primary School, located in a low-lying area near the Red River, bore the brunt of the flooding triggered by the typhoon. The entire campus was submerged under nearly four meters of water. All 15 classrooms and administrative offices were flooded, and much of the school’s facilities, including benches, desks and teaching equipment, were rendered useless.
The school’s library, home to around 5,000 books, was particularly hard hit, with most of its collection ruined by floodwater and mud. Estimated losses exceed VND1 billion.
In response to the storm’s aftermath, the school kept a close eye on the water levels to organize the clean-up. However, by the time classes resumed on September 23, the path to the school was still difficult to negotiate due to mud and debris.
To encourage students to return to school, the “Saigon Times – Great Circle – Helping Students Get Back to School Post Storm” program organizers visited the school to offer support.
On September 23, the program provided financial aid and supplies to 632 students and 45 teachers. Total donations included VND77.5 million in cash, 477 gift packages, 112 pairs of socks, 45 kettles, 1,550 notebooks, and other supplies and equipment.
These are just the first steps to help schools in Yen Bai that were hit hard by the flood, said Tran Minh Hung, editor-in-chief of the Saigon Times Group. “We hope that philanthropists, businesses, and readers will continue to support those struggling in the aftermath of the disaster.”
