Police presents gifts to students at a school in Mộc Châu District. — Photo baove.congly.vn

SƠN LA — When the class ends, students collect their books and prepare lunch together with their teachers before enjoying a free meal with hot rice, pork and vegetable.

Mộc Châu District in the north-western province of Sơn La has long been known as a attractive tourist destination.

Tourism has changed the lives of many locals but there are still a lot of poor families.

In the past, rice or a boiled bamboo shoots was the most common meal for school children at many kindergartens.

Things changed early last year, when Dương Hải Anh, Sub-lieutenant of police department in Mộc Châu District, initiated a programme to boost nutrition for children in the local kindergartens.

Under the programme, kids can enjoy a free school lunch every day.

Talking about the launch of the project, the 26-year-old policeman said although the Government funded the construction of many schools, there were still many students who had to drop because their families were poor.

The project aims to provide lunch for the children, helping their families reduce difficulties and encourage school attendance, Anh told Bảo Vệ Công Lý (Justice Protection) online newspaper.

The project has been gradually expanding, supplying more good things for poor children in mountainous region to keep them studying.

Students are provided with clean water, warm blankets, uniforms, books and toys.

"I and my colleagues are very happy when we see the children have a full meal and are happy to go to school," Anh said.

They are also so happy as their project has been well received by the community, creating more learning opportunities for the children of ethnic minorities.

Since the project was launched, thousands of meals have been delivered to schools, contributing to maintaining and increasing the attendance of preschool children in disadvantaged border communes.

Anh said the programme has also helped to shorten the gap between the police and local people while mobilising more people to maintain security and order in border areas. — VNS