At Mekong Plus, development starts with listening to communities and responding to concrete local needs. In both Vietnam and Cambodia, our local partners continue building impactful programs that improve health, education and inclusion for vulnerable families.
This month, we highlight the important work carried out alongside two long-standing partners: Anh Duong in Vietnam and Community Advancement Organization (CAO) in Cambodia. From disability support initiatives to large-scale eye care programs for students, these projects show how targeted local action can create lasting change.
Supporting Inclusion and Dignity in Vietnam
In Vietnam, inclusion is the official norm, but in villages, only 3% of schools are physically adapted and only 1 in 6 primary schools has a teacher trained in disability. Mekong Plus continues collaborating with Anh Duong to support vulnerable families and people living with disabilities through practical and community-based initiatives.
One important project is the “Happy Room”, a welcoming space designed to promote inclusion, confidence and social connection for people with disabilities. Beyond providing activities and support, the initiative helps participants regain independence and strengthen their place within the community.
These programs are often built around simple but essential objectives: creating opportunities, reducing isolation and improving quality of life for individuals who are too often excluded from traditional support systems.
The work carried out by Anh Duong reflects a broader vision shared by Mekong Plus: sustainable development must include everyone.
Better Vision for Thousands of Students in Cambodia
In rural areas, around 17% of children in Vietnam and less than 3% in Cambodia suffer from vision problems, much lower rates than in cities. However, the impact on education is more severe there because of the lack of screening and the cost of care. Without glasses, these children suffer an invisible academic delay.
In Cambodia, CAO has been leading a major eye examination program aimed at improving vision health among children and vulnerable community members in rural areas.
For many students, undiagnosed eyesight problems directly affect school performance and daily life. Difficulty seeing the board, reading or concentrating can quickly lead to discouragement and educational gaps.
The goal of the program is therefore both medical and educational: detect vision problems early, provide corrective support, and help children continue learning in better conditions.
Through screenings, comprehensive examinations, eyeglasses and referrals for specialized care, the initiative contributes to improving both educational success and long-term well-being.
Addressing Challenges with Practical Solutions
Supporting children with disabilities in rural areas remains a complex challenge. Resources are limited, awareness is still evolving, and families often lack access to specialized services.
Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, Mekong Plus works closely with local partners to develop practical responses that can be sustained over time. This includes creating accessible spaces, supporting caregivers, and building local capacity.
The goal is not only to provide immediate support, but also to foster long-term inclusion within communities.
A Program Already Reaching More Than 20,000 Students
The scale of the project has expanded significantly over recent years.
So far (in Cambodia, many more in Vietnam):
- 20,800 students have benefited from initial vision screenings
- 1,146 students received comprehensive eye examinations
- 532 students were provided with corrective eyeglasses
- 165 vulnerable students received scholarships to continue their education
Behind these figures are children whose daily lives have changed dramatically. Many can now follow lessons properly for the first time, participate more actively in class, and regain confidence in their studies.
Teachers and parents alike have observed clear improvements in concentration, participation and academic performance.
Common Vision Problems Identified
The screenings conducted by CAO revealed several recurring vision issues among students.
Short-sightedness is particularly common and prevents many children from clearly seeing classroom boards. Long-sightedness affects reading and close-up work, while astigmatism causes blurred or distorted vision at different distances.
Without proper diagnosis and treatment, these conditions can seriously affect educational development and future opportunities.
By addressing these problems early, the program helps reduce inequalities that often remain invisible in rural communities.
Expanding the Initiative Further
Following the successes in Vietnam, CAO’s program has been implemented progressively across several districts in Cambodia.
The first phase supported 42 schools in Romdoul district and reached approximately 10,000 students from Grade 3 to Grade 12.
The second phase expanded to 40 schools in Romeas Haek district, benefiting another 10,800 students and strengthening follow-up care through comprehensive examinations, eyeglasses and scholarship support.
The next phase, planned for October 2026, aims to extend the program to 32 additional schools in Romeas Haek district, potentially reaching tens of thousands more students.
This continued expansion reflects both the scale of the needs and the importance of long-term partnerships between local organizations and international supporters.
Building Sustainable Development Together
Beyond the direct impact already visible in schools and communities, both Anh Duong and CAO are now focusing on strengthening the long-term sustainability of their programs.
One major priority is improving the organization and professional structure of interventions. Assessment forms, lesson plans and progress tracking tools are being standardized to ensure consistent quality and help new teachers integrate more easily into the programs.
At the same time, teams continue investing in teacher training and recruitment to improve specialized support for children while reducing pressure on current staff. As demand grows, the organizations are also exploring ways to serve more children through small-group classes and better scheduling systems, while maintaining personalized attention and stability.
Another key objective is building stronger leadership teams capable of managing operations and supporting families independently over the long term. New services such as social skills classes, school-readiness programs and parent workshops are also being developed to provide more comprehensive support.
Together with Mekong Plus, these efforts reflect a shared ambition: creating programs that are not only impactful today, but sustainable and transformative for years to come.
More Ways to Help
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Sponsor a child with a scholarship: https://mekongplus.org/en/sponsor-a-child/
- Buy the wonderful craft made by our women artisans: https://mekongquilts.com/
- Finance a microcredit: https://mekongplus.org/en/finance-a-microcredit/
- Join our eco-tours: https://mekongplus.org/en/mekong-bikes/
- Make a donation to our programmes: https://mekongplus.org/en/donate/
- Follow us on Facebook: Mekong Plus & Mekong Quilts
