We arrived in Ap Bac hamlet just as Hoang Van Ngan, Secretary of the hamlet’s Party organization, and local people were bringing green tea to cadets of the Army Officer Candidate School No.1 at various locations where they were helping clean up the environment. Ngan shared that following the administrative merger, the hamlet’s area has expanded and the workload has increased. They were fortunate to welcome officers and cadets from the Army Officer Candidate School No.1 to conduct mass mobilization work here. The soldiers’ enthusiasm, sense of responsibility and willingness to overcome difficulties have been a great source of encouragement for them.
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Gifts presented to policy beneficiaries in Ap Bac hamlet |
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Medical staff of the school giving heath check-ups to policy beneficiaries |
During the mass mobilization campaign, the officers and cadets from Battalions 3 and 4 of the school cleaned up the environment, tended gardens and helped households with few or no able-bodied members with housework. They also provided free haircuts for elderly people and children; instructed people on how to use applications on smartphone; organized sports activities with local youths; and helped children with their schoolwork. These activities helped bring soldiers and people closer.
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Cadets of the school tend residents’ fruit trees. |
Phung Thi Teo, a 67-year-old resident of Ap Bac hamlet, happily recounted how doctors had checked her blood pressure, examined her cardiovascular health and provided health counseling. For her, having medical personnel from the school come to the hamlet to provide examinations was a meaningful gesture of care, particularly for elderly residents.
During the campaign, officers and cadets of the school also provided free medical examinations and medicines to 72 policy beneficiaries and poor households, and presented gifts to disadvantaged students with excellent academic results. These activities not only helped improve residents’ well-being but also encouraged students to continue striving for academic success.
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Cadets provide haircuts for local people. |
Staff Sergeant Nguyen Viet Hoang, a cadet of Platoon 8, Company 7, Battalion 3, shared that this was his first field march to conduct mass mobilization work. The campaign had given him and his comrades valuable practical experience and a deeper understanding of local residents’ lives.
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Cadets take part in sports activities with local people. |
For Staff Sergeant Nguyen Minh Tri, a cadet in Platoon 6, Company 11, Battalion 4, the days spent living, eating and working alongside residents of Ap Bac hamlet had left him with many meaningful experiences and lasting impressions. He was particularly moved by the activities supporting local people and the cultural exchange program with residents. Their warm welcome and sentiment also motivated Tri and his comrades to successfully complete their training program and soon become officers of the Viet Nam People’s Army.
Translated by Quynh Oanh