Uncle Ho’s soldiers left a profound mark with their sense of responsibility and dedication, helping residents in this mountainous area overcome hardships and have a better life.
Joining hands to build homes and nurture trust
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Delegates visiting the newly inaugurated communal house |
For generations, the communal house has been a sacred symbol in life of ethnic minority groups in the western mountainous region of Quang Ngai province. Being home to 30 households with nearly 140 residents, over 90% of them being Xo Dang ethnic people, Mo Po Hamlet still faces many hardships due to rugged terrains. Understanding local people’s aspirations for having a communal house for traditional cultural activities, the Quang Ngai Provincial Military Command, together with local authorities, has conducted surveys and implemented various “Good Mass Mobilization” models to guide local residents to boost production, gradually change mindset and practices, help them sustainably reduce poverty and join hands in building a communal house.
From the concrete foundation to the gracefully curved thatched roof and paved pathway, every detail bears the sweat, effort and heartfelt dedication of soldiers and locals. A Tuan, who donated land for the house, said, “Seeing this spacious, beautiful communal house, we are overjoyed. From now on, our villagers have a place to gather and celebrate the new rice harvest. In our hearts, we are deeply grateful to the soldiers.”
Helping people escape poverty
Alongside building the communal house, officers and soldiers of the Quang Ngai Provincial Military Command have persistently encouraged local people to abandon outdated customs, maintain hygiene, implement family planning measures, send children to school, and apply science and technology in farming and livestock raising. As a result, many families have changed their mindset, become more pro-active in production, and enjoyed increased income.
A Thoan, head of Mo Po Village, said, “Apart from building the communal house, soldiers also teach us how to escape poverty, stay healthy, how to read and write, and provide vocational training.”
Senior Colonel A Hang, Deputy Political Commissar of the Quang Ngai Provincial Military Command, emphasized that the livelihoods of ethnic minority communities in remote, isolated, and border areas still rely heavily on nature, and there remains a tendency to depend on State support. The Provincial Military Command has carried out various initiatives such as “Changing mindset and practices of ethnic minorities to help them sustainably escape poverty,” and the movement “The military joins hands to eradicate temporary and dilapidated houses.” Other activities including building roads, lighting rural paths, and providing livelihoods have helped improve local people’s living standards.
In the newly inaugurated-communal house, the laughter of children and the lively atmosphere of community activities have fostered greater determination among villagers to build a prosperous and beautiful homeland.
Translated by Hue Chi