Bringing clean water to schools in Da Nang’s remote areas

Some schools in Da Nang's mountainous communes still lack access to clean water. Securing a reliable and hygienic water supply remains a major challenge. At some schools, students must pay to buy bottled drinking water.

Clean water for students and teachers in remote areas

Many local families face financial hardship, leaving schools with limited funds to invest in water filtration systems. As a result, they often cannot afford the equipment needed to provide safe drinking water for their students.

Recognizing the urgent need for safe drinking water in schools, Lifestart Foundation has decided to expand its program to provide water filtration systems to schools in disadvantaged communities, with a particular focus on mountainous and remote areas.

Ms. Karen Leonard OAM, founder of Lifestart Foundation, said: “The lack of clean drinking water in schools, especially those in remote areas, has had a serious impact on the health and daily lives of both students and teachers.

“We understand that clean water is essential for learning and development. That is why Lifestart Foundation remains committed to supporting schools in disadvantaged communities. By installing water filtration systems, we hope to improve health and create a safer, healthier learning environment where teachers and students can focus on teaching and learning with peace of mind.”

The schools that have benefited from the program include Huong Duong Kindergarten in Tien Phuoc Commune; Lanh Ngoc Kindergarten in Lanh Ngoc Commune; Kim Dong Primary School and Nguyen Hue Lower Secondary School in Tra My Commune; Tra Doc Boarding Primary School in Tra Doc Commune; Son Tra Kindergarten in Tra Giap Commune; Kpa Ko Long Primary School and Hoa Mi Kindergarten, including its Ha Son and Tra No campuses, in Phuoc Tra Commune; Le Van Tam Primary School in Hiep Duc Commune; and Nguyen Van Troi Lower Secondary School in Viet An Commune.

Through successive phases of the program, Lifestart Foundation has provided water filtration systems to schools across these areas. The support has included 11 schools in the former Bac Tra My District, worth more than VND492 million in total; nine schools in the former Tien Phuoc District, worth more than VND425 million; and six schools in the former Hiep Duc District, worth more than VND266 million.

Safe drinking water straight from the tap

Notably, three of the communes receiving support - Tra Doc, Tra Giap and Phuoc Tra - are classified as Region III areas, meaning areas facing particularly severe socioeconomic difficulties, under Decision No. 60/QD-BDTTG for the 2026-2030 period issued by the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs.

These communities also host large numbers of ethnic minority students. At three schools - Tra Doc Boarding Primary School in Tra Doc Commune, Kpa Ko Long Primary School and Hoa Mi Kindergarten in Phuoc Tra Commune - ethnic minority students account for 100% of enrolment.

Ms. Phan Thi Tra, principal of Lanh Ngoc Kindergarten in Lanh Ngoc Commune, said: “Previously, our school did not have enough clean water for all the children. Parents had to pay for bottled water, or children had to bring their own drinking water to school. This placed a considerable burden on families.

“Thanks to the support of Lifestart Foundation, the children can now drink safe, clean water at school every day. We are deeply grateful to the foundation and are committed to managing and maintaining the equipment properly so that it can continue to provide clean water for our students as effectively as possible.”

The latest round of inspections and acceptance of the installed systems has brought clean drinking water to nearly 3,000 students, as well as teachers and other school staff, during the 2026-2027 school year.

Each system is designed to suit the school's size and water needs. The most expensive system, valued at up to VND 88 million, can filter as much as 450 liters of water per hour.

The systems remove bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and other harmful contaminants, providing drinking water that meets the Ministry of Health's QCVN 6-1:2010/BYT national technical regulation for drinking water consumed directly from the tap. This is Vietnam's highest national standard for water intended for direct consumption.

Each system also includes a large stainless-steel storage tank to ensure schools have enough clean water for students and staff to use throughout the day.

Since launching its school clean water program in 2021, Lifestart Foundation has funded nearly 60 water filtration systems for disadvantaged schools across central Viet Nam, with a total investment of nearly VND2.8 billion. The program has directly benefited tens of thousands of students and teachers.

Ms. Huynh Thi Thanh An, vice chairwoman of the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organizations, said: “We would like to express our sincere thanks to Lifestart Foundation for this timely and meaningful support. We hope the schools will manage and maintain the systems properly to ensure they remain effective over the long term, helping protect the health of students and teachers and supporting teaching and learning across the city.”

A Lifestart Foundation representative said the organization would continue to survey schools in disadvantaged areas and provide additional water filtration systems, allowing more students and teachers to benefit from the program.

$ 1 = VND 26,030 - Source: Vietcombank.