High in the mountains of the Lao Cai province, lives the Tan Ta May family. Mrs May, her husband and their two young sons, live in a deteriorating makeshift home, cobbled together from cheap and unsafe materials. The family’s home has been created with compacted soil, bamboo and wooden planks topped with a roof made from old, punctured fibrous sheets.
The floor is nothing more than uneven earth. Despite their harsh surroundings, the family remains steadfast and close knit, relying on rice cultivation and the care of small livestock to survive, generating a small income for them to live on.
The Tan Ta May family often endures sweltering heat, bone-chilling cold, and torrential storms, placing them and their home in a constant state of vulnerability. They dreamed of a safer, sturdier shelter and when they learned about Habitat Vietnam’s home renovation program, their spirits lifted.
Since 2001, Habitat has been working to support vulnerable communities, including ethnic minorities and people with disabilities (PWD), in improving living conditions through disaster-resilient housing, clean water access, and sanitation. The organisation’s efforts have focused on building community resilience to the impacts of climate change and disasters, particularly in provinces like Lao Cai, Kien Giang, and Quang Nam. Habitat’s work includes helping families like the Tan Ta May’s by constructing new homes, renovating unsafe ones, and providing essential water and sanitation facilities
Although financial constraints kept the Tan Ta May family from fully participating in the renovation program, the family made a pivotal decision. They chose to prioritise the construction of a hygienic toilet near their home. This seemingly small addition held immense significance—it promised hygiene, health, and a touch of comfort. Regular cleaning has transformed this bathroom into a sanctuary where all family members can practice hygiene with dignity and peace of mind. Whilst the family continues to strive towards a better, safer future through the renovation of their home, the construction of a hygienic latrine is an incredible step in the right direction.
The Tan Ta May’s story is a moving testament to resilience, resourcefulness, and the unwavering pursuit of a better tomorrow.
This project receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and is in partnership with our implementing partner Habitat for Humanity Vietnam to provide access to safe shelter.
