The border guards have been accompanying disadvantaged students in the coastal areas of Ca Mau, helping them overcome difficulties and excel in their studies.
Tran Duy Dan, a ninth-grader of Ly Tu Trong Secondary School in Khanh Hoi commune, U Minh district, is one of the students who have received support from Khanh Hoi Border Post.
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Ca Mau provincial Border Guard Command’s representatives present scholarships and bicycles to students. |
Dan said that she is very touched and grateful that, at the beginning of a new school year, the border guards always visit and hand over financial assistance to support her schooling. “This year, the troops continued the support, which eases my mother’s burden. I promise to study harder to meet the expectations of the soldiers and my family,” said Dan.
Dan’s family is one of the disadvantaged households in Khanh Hoi commune. Her father left after her mother gave birth to a second child. Her mother, Vo Thuy Vi, has to work hard to take care of her two daughters. Understanding the family’s hardship, Khan Hoi Border Post decided to provide support for Dan. As part of the “Paving way to school for needy children - Border Guards’ foster children" program, the unit gives VND 500,000 per month to her family. This financial aid has helped ease some of her mother’s struggles.
Thanks to the regular care and encouragement from troops of Khanh Hoi Border Post and the school, Dan has achieved many excellent academic results. She has been an outstanding student for many years, winning second place in a district literature competition. She is also active in school activities and serves as a role model in her school's extra-curricular activities.
Dan has won several awards, such as first place in the "2023 Red Flamboyant Talents of Ca Mau" contest, third place in the "Young Music Instrumenlists and Artists of Ca Mau" competition, the title of "Outstanding Pioneer Organization Leader" in Ca Mau province in 2023. Notably, she was one of the 200 students who have been recognized as a "Young Dien Bien Soldier" at an event held in Dien Bien in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Van Khen, Political Officer of Khanh Hoi Border Post, apart from Dan, the unit is sponsoring two other students through the “Paving way to school for needy children - Border guards’ foster children," providing VND 500,000 per month for each student. In addition to financial assistance, the unit regularly presents gifts, school supplies, and assistance to many local families, thus helping children focus on their education.
Reportedly, units of the Ca Mau provincial Border Guard Command have provided support for a total of 38 students within the “Paving way to school for needy children - Border guards’ foster children” program. To ensure its effectiveness, units have effectively fostered dissemination and education to help troops be aware of its practical, humanitarian significance, thus having practical deeds to share difficulties with local residents and give wings to students’ dreams.
Sr. Col. Pham Anh Chuong, Commanding Officer of the Ca Mau provincial Border Guard Command evaluated that the program holds profound humanitarian significance. It is practical activity to actualize the Party’s guidelines and State’s policies, especially the government's initiative to build a learning society, and create opportunities for disadvantaged students in border areas to rise up in life. This effort contributes to developing local human resources for localities in border areas and ethnic minority communities.
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Officers of Khanh Hoi Border Post encouraging a student |
Col. Chuong said that through the program, many students in border areas have the opportunity to continue their education and strive to become good citizens. In addition, the relationship between local people and border guards are enhanced. Their practical deeds have contributed to embellishing the image of soldiers in the hearts of the people and building a strong whole people’s border defense and people’s heart posture.
Since 2016, the Ca Mau provincial Border Guard Command has supported over 350 disadvantaged students, with five students passing university entrance exams and six entering colleges. The remaining students are continuing their education. The total cost of the support program is nearly VND 2 billion. In the 2024-2025 school year, the Ca Mau Border Guard Command sponsors 38 students with monthly allowance of VND 500,000, while also maintaining a charitable classroom on Hon Chuoi island for 12 children of island residents.
Translated by Tran Hoai