Things we learnt from the kids class 4A1

There is one thing we came to understand after nearly a year of working alongside children in Điện Biên. The challenge was never whether they wanted to brush their teeth. What they truly lacked was the opportunity and support to turn brushing into a daily habit.

They are not lazy at all!

At first, we assumed, “Children in remote mountain communities might not enjoy brushing their teeth.” But the students of Class 4A1 quickly proved us wrong. They were never reluctant—they simply hadn’t had consistent access to hygiene supplies or someone to help them build the habit day by day.

Every week, we hold a small hygiene workshop with the students. We begin by looking back at each child’s weekly checklist together: Did you brush your teeth twice a day this week? Did you remember to wash your hands before meals and after using the restroom?

Because the children stay at the boarding school from Monday to Friday and only return home on weekends, each student keeps a personal checklist to track whether they brush their teeth twice a day—morning and evening. No one stands beside them to check every box. The system relies entirely on their honesty and self-discipline.

And that is what surprised us the most. Whenever they forgot to brush their teeth, they simply left the box blank instead of ticking it anyway. Over time, the checklist stopped being an assignment and became a quiet promise they made to themselves.

Our joy of watching the children gradually grow

After only a few weeks, the change went beyond the number of times they brushed their teeth. The children became more proactive about taking care of themselves. Instead of waiting for a teacher’s reminder—or brushing only when they noticed bad breath—many began to see brushing every morning and evening as something they simply do every day.

Besides checklist, the children watch short animated videos that explain what can happen when oral hygiene is neglected. Cavities, germs, and tooth decay become much easier to understand through colorful stories than through repeated reminders.

At the end of each session, the students work in small groups to draw or write down what they remember most. It is never about testing them or finding the “right” answers. Instead, it gives them a chance to express what they have learned in their own words—and their drawings often tell us they understand far more than we expect.

It turns out that habits are built when children have the opportunity to practice them—and someone patient enough to walk alongside them until they believe they can.

That reminded us of something important. Good habits are rarely built through reminders alone.

They grow when children are given the tools they need, the encouragement to keep going, and someone willing to walk alongside them until those small actions become second nature.

💚 As the 2026–2027 school year approaches, we hope more supporters will continue this journey with us—helping ensure every child has access to basic hygiene supplies, meaningful learning experiences, and the opportunity to maintain the healthy habits they have worked so hard to build.

Because every new checkmark on a child’s checklist is more than just a “good job.” It is another small step toward growing up healthier, more confident, and ready for the future.