Over 5,000 students in Mekong Delta get access to clean water

THE HANOI TIMES — Over 5,000 students in the Mekong Delta will benefit from improved access to clean water through a new partnership between ActionAid International in Vietnam and Lindström, a leading European textile service company. The collaboration was facilitated by the Embassy of Finland in Vietnam.

The move was part of the inauguration and operational launch of Lindström’s service center in Bien Hoa, Dong Nai, as the firm officially signed a partnership agreement and launched the "Clean Water for Happy Schools" project in collaboration with ActionAid International in Vietnam.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the Embassy of Finland in Vietnam, senior leaders of Lindström and ActionAid International in Vietnam, the Vietnam Foundation for Social Security Programs and Projects (AFV), as well as domestic and international partners.

The "Clean Water for Happy Schools" project, with a budget of EUR 90,000 (US$97,000), is funded by Lindström Group and implemented by ActionAid International in Vietnam. It is partnered with the Management Board of the Development Support Program in Tra Vinh City, located in the southern province of Tra Vinh. The project will run for three years, from 2025 to 2027.

The project aims to improve access to clean water by equipping schools with solar-powered water filtration systems. It will benefit 5,000 students across six schools in Tra Vinh City, an area heavily impacted by saltwater intrusion. In addition to enhancing water access, the initiative will raise awareness about environmental sanitation and climate change. Approximately 15,000 family members of the students will also benefit indirectly, with reduced healthcare costs related to waterborne diseases.

Speaking at the event, Juha Laurio, President and CEO of Lindström Group, said that when the circular economy is at the heart of every service, sustainable development becomes even more meaningful. "We take a holistic approach that includes environmental, social, and economic aspects. By optimizing resource usage, Lindström enhances the cost-effectiveness of our services."

With the ‘Clean Water for Happy Schools’ project, we hope to actively support communities, especially future generations in Vietnam, in better adapting to climate change.”

With the support of the Finnish government and people, ActionAid International in Vietnam and its partners have implemented numerous projects over the years to improve the lives of people in disadvantaged areas, with a particular focus on women, children, and ethnic minorities. A notable example is the “Enhancing Public Participation in Forest Governance and Poverty Reduction in Vietnam” project, carried out from 2014 to 2018 in Cao Bang, Hoa Binh, Dak Lak, and Tra Vinh.

The decision by Lindström Group, a leading Finnish and European company, to establish its first Southeast Asian service center in Vietnam and immediately commit to community support reflects the strong 50-year partnership between Finland and Vietnam. This partnership has been especially prominent in shared priorities such as climate change adaptation and sustainable economic development.

At the event, Hoang Phuong Thao, Country Director of ActionAid International in Vietnam, said that this partnership project not only reinforces corporate social responsibility but also establishes a model for businesses to contribute positively to sustainable development in Vietnam.

"We encourage and support businesses in integrating ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles into their operations through concrete projects, creating both short-term and long-term changes toward a sustainable future for all," said Thao.