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Poor students of Cao Loc district receive bikes. |
Meaningful summer day
On June 16, Giang Duc Than, a fourth grader of Cao Loc Townlet Primary School attentively listened to information provided by two orators about the ways to avoid bombs and mines-caused accidents in a program held at the cultural center of Cao Loc townlet, Cao Loc district. Thuan remembered different kinds of bombs and was aware that though these bombs are eye-catching, they pose great dangers, threatening lives if they are not handled properly. When the orator raised the question "What types of bombs have just been introduced?," Thuan did not hesitate to raise his hand and the correct answer brought him a desk clock.
Together with joining the knowledge quest, seven poor students of Cao Loc district received bikes from the organizers. Nong Anh Kiet, a student of Dong Dang Secondary School, happily said that the bike will company him in coming academic years.
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A picture book series give students ways to recognize and handle suspected mines and explosives. |
Luong Hai Yen, a fifth grader of Yen Khoai Primary School in Yen Khoai commune, Loc Binh district shared that apart from the knowledge of post-war bombs and mines gained on June 15, she learnt about other useful relevant information through books at her school’s green library. Most recently, she read a picture book series entitled “Peter and summer in Vietnam,” from which she learnt about many good things such as planting trees at craters to make the Earth green, staying away from suspected mines and explosives and reporting to adults.
Standing side by side with victims of bombs and mines
According to Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Loc Binh district Hoang Hung Cuong, the border mountainous province of Lang Son were badly affected by bombs and mines in the resistance wars against French colonialists and American imperialists and in the fight to defend the national Northern border.
In recent years, despite active and pro-active mine clearance efforts, some disadvantaged areas in the province are still contaminated with post-war bombs and mines, endangering local people’s life. Since 1991, in the areas of Loc Binh, Dinh Lap, and Cao Loc districts, a number of bombs and mines-caused accidents have occurred, affecting the victims' health and causing them many difficulties in life.
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Students briefed on different kinds of bombs and mines |
Knowing the locals’ hardship and the locality’s limited resources, the association and the foundation selected Lang Son province for their business trip, during which they gave locals leaflets, screen documentaries, introduce numerous kinds of bombs and mines and ways to prevent post-war unexploded ordnance-caused accidents. Lively presentations helped raise local people and students’ awareness.
Creating effective livelihoods
During the program, the organizers presented breeding cows to seven victims of post-war bombs and mines, financial support to 33 other victims to improve their living conditions, and 20 bikes to poor students.
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Breeding cows presented to local victims of bombs and mines |
Among the recipients were Hoang Van Em, aged 47, in Loc Binh district and two former reconnaissance soldiers Hoang Van Thang and Hoang Duc Nguyen, both in Dinh Lap district. Mr. Em lost one of his legs after tripping over landmines while working on fields at the age of 19, meanwhile both soldiers lost parts of their body, including eyes, and limbs by mines during their duty performance.
Lt. Gen. Pham Ngoc Khoa said that in the coming time they will continue their joint force with Lang Son province to give victims more support to rise in life.
Translated by Chung Anh