Roche Vietnam and The VinaCapital Foundation join hands to bring clean water to children in Dak Lak

On November 8, 2023, Roche Vietnam, in collaboration with the VinaCapital Foundation (VCF), proudly donated three clean water filtration systems to remote schools in Krong Nang, Ea Sup and M’Drak districts in Dak Lak province. This initiative, implemented by VCF’s Clean Water program, aims to provide safe drinking water to underprivileged children, enhance sanitation at local kindergartens, and ultimately enhance the overall health and well-being of the population in these rural areas of Vietnam.

The remote districts of Krong Nang, Ea Sup, and M’Drak, situated 70 kilometers from Buon Ma Thuot City in Dak Lak province, face severe climate conditions, resulting in droughts during the dry season. Compounded by a shortage of fresh surface water and contamination of underground water sources with a high concentration of heavy metals, these communities have long struggled to access clean water, particularly for children who are vulnerable to water-borne diseases.

The three new clean water filtration systems were installed at Hoa Ban Trang kindergarten, Ea Rok, and Le Quy Don primary schools, where 36% of the students belong to ethnic minorities. They will directly benefit 1,283 students and 95 teachers across the three schools, enabling them to access clean drinking water directly from school taps. This initiative will significantly reduce the prevalence of water-borne diseases, such as diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid fever, E. Coli infections, and more. The children are encouraged to take clean water home, extending the benefits to their families and communities.

Besides the installation, the program also provides essential training on the use of clean water and the significance of proper hygiene practices for children. Maintenance expenses for the systems, including all replacement parts, are covered for two years.

Mr. Qadeer Raza, Roche Vietnam’s General Manager, said: “Roche as a leading diagnostics company, we believe prevention and early diagnosis could lead to a better prognosis. As part of our healthcare contribution, we also support CSR activities that create long-lasting impact on the society where we operate.  Through the Clean Water Program, we think access to clean and safe sources of water is essential to preventive healthcare. We strongly believe children can avoid exposure to countless water-borne diseases, and be able to sustain their education journey without interruptions. Roche Vietnam and our employees are proud to play a part in this meaningful project and we trust that the schools and teachers will continue this joint effort for the better health of our future generations.  As you know, “Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, Roche Vietnam will always be at the forefront to support these noble courses.”

Mr. Rad Kivette, VCF’s CEO, said: “We are deeply thankful for Roche Vietnam’s generosity and commitment to help communities in need. Water-born diseases are a known health problem in Vietnam and are even more critical in children who live in rural remote areas. Our Clean Water program has been actively working to address this problem and today’s collaboration with Roche Vietnam marks a significant step in improving the lives and health of children and families in rural Vietnam.”

The Clean Water program, which has been active since 2017, has already made a substantial impact on the lives of underserved populations in various regions of Vietnam. To date, the program has successfully installed and handed over 104 clean drinking water filtration systems and one water well, providing daily benefits to over 28,922 people across multiple provinces, including Quang Nam, Dong Thap, Bac Kan, Ninh Thuan, Tra Vinh, Binh Thuan, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Long An, Dak Lak, Quang Ngai, and Ho Chi Minh City.