Dreams washed away by floods

Every child across the country carries their own dream: going to school every day, playing with friends, or simply having a safe classroom to learn in. But for children in remote mountainous areas, even these modest wishes are not easily fulfilled. A lack of proper learning conditions, healthcare, and hygiene makes their path toward those dreams much more uncertain.

When natural disasters strike, the challenges only increase. In Điện Biên, the flash floods in early August severely damaged many schools in Pá Vạt – Mường Luân commune: collapsed toilets, sunken classrooms, ruined fences, and broken gates. Dilapidated walls, worsened by the floods, left children studying in damp, dark rooms, sometimes with no sanitation facilities at all. Books and notebooks were soaked in mud, and the dreams of returning to class were temporarily put on hold.

Local healthcare facilities suffered as well. At Điện Biên Đông District Health Centre, flooding and power outages made medical care even more difficult. Already in short supply, essential medical equipment became critically lacking, placing additional strain on doctors treating children and residents.

Lending a hand to nurture dreams

Understanding these hardships, Lifebuoy joined forces with partners and authorities to organise a series of activities that provided real, tangible support. The goal is to give Điện Biên’s children a fresh, healthy, and safe start to the new school year. Beyond being timely disaster relief, the initiative empowers children to confidently return to their studies and keep their dreams alive.

Lifebuoy Ambassador, singer Đông Nhi, and brand representatives visited and presented gifts to Mường Luân Boarding Primary and Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities.

Unilever Vietnam and Lifebuoy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, supported the renovation of school facilities to welcome the 2025–2026 academic year. Lifebuoy also built new restrooms and handwashing stations while teaching children proper hygiene habits. Book donation drives and the establishment of knowledge corners offered students access to a wider variety of reading materials and improved learning spaces.

Alongside these efforts, Thien Long Group Corporation donated essential school supplies, helping strengthen children’s path to knowledge. Together, Lifebuoy and Thien Long contributed VNĐ500 million (US$18,929) to the school.

The campaign also extended to healthcare. Lifebuoy and its partners helped repair and upgrade medical facilities in Điện Biên. Notably, new health stations in Chiềng Sơ and Luân Giới communes were inaugurated, featuring upgraded consultation rooms, standard restrooms, and handwashing areas equipped with antibacterial products, valued at VNĐ500 million.

The campaign also included free medical check-ups and the distribution of medication to 400 children and local residents at the Keo Lôm health station.

Additionally, Lifebuoy partnered with the Vietnam Young Physicians Association to provide free medical check-ups and medicine for children and local residents, continuing their strategic collaboration for community health. Over the years, this partnership has provided free healthcare services to communities across Việt Nam.

For its contributions, Lifebuoy received a certificate of recognition from the Vietnam Young Physicians Association.

Beyond schools and clinics, the brand and its partners also visited local shelters, distributing gifts and material support to children, bringing warmth and encouragement ahead of the new school year.

The series of events in Điện Biên concluded with meaningful impacts, giving children a new beginning that is cleaner, safer, and filled with hope. The campaign not only reflects Lifebuoy’s commitment to accompanying and supporting the younger generation in remote areas but also continues the brand’s long-standing mission: For a Healthier Việt Nam, a vision Lifebuoy has pursued throughout its 30 years in the country./.