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More than 500 books helping children at charity schools discover the joy of reading

date_range2026-06-30

For many children, a school library is simply part of everyday school life. But at Tân Sơn Nhì and Ward 25 charity schools in Hồ Chí Minh City, access to books has long been a luxury.

The two schools provide education for children from migrant families, many of whom are unable to enrol in public schools because their parents lack the necessary legal documentation. Operating largely through donations, the schools face ongoing resource constraints, making libraries and reading materials particularly difficult to develop and maintain.

Although some classrooms had reading corners with donated books, these resources were often underused. Without dedicated reading time, suitable library facilities and structured guidance from teachers, many books remained on the shelves, unable to fulfil their potential to support children’s literacy and learning.

To help address this challenge, Enda Vietnam supported a project implemented through saigonchildren’s Getting Ready for Work Programme, with the aim of building and nurturing a lasting reading habit among students.

Making reading part of the school week

Before the project began, reading activities were mainly organised through weekend reading clubs. While these sessions provided valuable opportunities, they were not enough to establish reading as a regular habit.

Through the project, reading sessions were integrated into the school timetable where appropriate, while weekend reading clubs continued to complement classroom activities. Across the two schools, an average of 40 reading sessions were delivered each week, giving around 420 students from Grades 1 to 5 regular opportunities to engage with books.

Activities were carefully designed to suit different age groups and learning needs. Younger students in Grades 1 and 2 took part in shared reading, picture-based storytelling and guided discussions. Older students in Grades 3 to 5 explored books of their own choice before participating in group discussions and presentations, helping them develop confidence alongside their reading skills.

To support these activities, the project introduced more than 500 age-appropriate books, improved library facilities and provided educational games such as puzzles, chess and Jenga. Teachers also received training in library management and interactive reading facilitation, equipping them with practical skills to sustain the programme beyond the project’s lifetime.

Turning books into opportunities

The project’s impact quickly became evident. Compared with the previous school year, book borrowing increased by 40%, demonstrating that students were engaging with books more frequently both during and beyond organised reading sessions.

More importantly, every teacher involved in the project reported improvements in students’ vocabulary and reading comprehension, reflected in stronger performance in Literature lessons.

The project also extended learning beyond the classroom. In March, more than 50 students visited the General Science Library in Hồ Chí Minh City, where they explored one of the city’s largest public libraries, enjoyed creative games and took part in a pinwheel-making workshop. For many, it was their first opportunity to experience a public library, opening up a new world of reading and discovery.

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