Working closely with teammates in stationed area
The Tam Hop Border Station is responsible for managing a long and wide border area with a dense population, mainly consisting of the Thai and H'mong ethnic groups. The life of people in the border area of Tam Hop commune, Tuong Duong district, remains difficult, with complex criminal activities. Recently, officers and soldiers from various border guard units have regularly patrolled the border, visited villages, ensured security, and assisted people in economic development. The tasks of the border guard forces are challenging due to difficult terrains and limited awareness of local people. Despite having been at Tam Hop Border Station for only a short time, Col. Thanh has accompanied her team to almost all the villages in the border area.
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Lt. Col. Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh and teachers and students of a school in Tam Hop commune |
During her visits to villages, Thanh stays close to people, explaining the Party's guidelines, the State's policies, and the local authorities’ regulations to them. She also advises the unit to mobilize benefactors to fund poor families by purchasing breeding animals for them. Vu Tong Long, an elderly person in Huoi Son village, Tam Hop commune, shared, "Thanh has been here for a short time, but she understands local people's life well. She does not hesitate to endure hardships to help everyone, so villagers love and trust her."
Col. Thanh shared that initially, as the only female officer, she personally encountered certain obstacles, such as frequent travel from the border station to remote villages. However, as the only female officer, she also has some advantages when communicating with the locals. Women in the village would open up to her when they are sitting around the fireplace. With a sense of responsibility, she and her team stayed close to people. "The reality shows that economic conditions and life of people in the border area are still very hard, and their awareness is uneven. Approaching people to disseminate policies, laws, and regulations, she has to face many obstacles. To gain their trust so that they follow you requires a long time," affirmed Thanh.
Gaining people’s trust
Before moving to Tam Hop Border Station, Col. Thanh had many years carrying out missions at Mon Son Border Station, in the area inhabited by the Dan Lai and Thai ethnic groups. During her time at Mon Son commune, Con Cuong district, she almost remembered every house of the "special" families in the commune. Apart from advising the unit and local authorities about families in difficult circumstances, she directly helped five families in the area develop household economy and alleviate poverty.
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Lt. Col. Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh at a ceremony to donate livestock to people of Tam Hop commune |
Thanks to her initiative, three "Women participating in border security protection" clubs were established in Bac Son, Nam Son, and Yen villages, with over 100 members. These members have been provided with extensive legal knowledge by Thanh and her teammates, especially regarding national border protection’ regulations, the rights and duties of citizens in border security, and policies for ethnic minorities and women. The members also share experience in maintaining family happiness and supporting each other in economic development.
Thanh was also regarded as a "mother" by Dan Lai ethnic students. She stayed at the school dormitory for a long time to take care of their meals and accommodations. Her encouragement helped Dan Lai ethnic students to continue their studies instead of dropping out. Her good deeds have deeply touched the people in Mon Son border commune. Quang Thi Van from Nam Son village, Mon Son commune, shared, "Even though she has moved to work elsewhere, Thanh still regularly contacts and visits people here. To villagers, she is a very courageous woman who wholeheartedly cares for those around her."
Translated by Trung Thanh