Classroom Sattelite of Binh Phu A
Originally uploaded by Flostyle.

After CAPI associates Helen and Peter visited me last week things have started to move a bit here in Tra Vinh in terms of work.
Yesterday and today Quyen and I visited 3 main schools and 6 sattelite schools. Generally rural schools are managed by bigger more accessible schools and the schools together have one PTA and head teacher. Sometimes teachers are shared between the school sites. It is pretty incredible that schools are able to function well given the infrastructure they are working with... or lack there of. Many of these schools have one almost bare room and some battered benches with a chalkboard and that is it. No running water, no outhouse, no electricity, no maintenance staff, no playground. Many of the students are not able to afford books, fees and uniforms. (I am questioning the why resources must be spent to have uniforms when they have to compete with the need to buy books and pens.)
Anyway the whole scene is pretty spartan, as I am sure it is in most rural schools around the world. We are visiting before school starts, so I am sure that it will be a less drab place once it is filled with kids!