Warmth of Sen Dolta

Khmer temples in Soc Trang are lavishly decorated to welcome the Sen Dolta festival. (Photo: Trung Hieu)

Rural areas flourish in preparation for the Sen Dolta festival.

To ensure the effective implementation of National Target Program 1719 in the coming period, it is necessary to continue strengthening and innovating communication efforts, raising awareness and responsibility among officials, Party members, Youth Union members, association members, and the entire society regarding sustainable poverty reduction and social security. Each household needs to proactively strive in labor and production to sustainably lift themselves out of poverty, avoiding the mentality of relying on assistance and support from the State and society. Focus on and accelerate the disbursement of funds for national target programs, ensuring that the allocated capital is disbursed on schedule and according to plan.

Mr. Tran Van Lau, Chairman of the People's Committee of Soc Trang Province

In Nuoc Man hamlet, Long Phu commune, Mr. Thach Duong's family used to be classified as near-poor, with no land for production and their income mainly coming from hired labor. Having received two cows from the National Target Program 1719, his family was very pleased.

“I will try my best to work hard and take good care of the cows to have a stable income and soon escape from being a near-poor household. Celebrating the Sen Dolta festival this year, my family prays that our ancestors will bless our village with peace and our family with health and prosperity.”

According to Mr. Thach Hoang Tha, Head of the Ethnic Affairs Department of Long Phu District, from the beginning of 2023 to the present, with resources from the National Target Program 1719, Long Phu District has disbursed over 7.3 billion VND to invest in the construction of 9 transportation projects in particularly difficult hamlets and communes. Overall, from 2022 to the present, the district has provided clean water to 65 Khmer households; implemented and built 49 houses; and supported livelihoods and vocational retraining for over 200 households.

“Thanks to investment resources from the National Target Program 1719, the appearance of rural areas and the socio -economic life of the majority of Khmer people have been developing. The people are celebrating the Sen Dolta festival in an atmosphere of joy, excitement, and confidence,” Mr. Thach Hoang Tha expressed.

In My Tu district, many ethnic minority households have now gained additional livelihoods and stabilized their lives thanks to resources from the National Target Program 1719. For example, Ms. Thach Thi Lan in Tam Soc C1 hamlet, My Thuan commune, received a 30 million VND loan from the Social Policy Bank, which she used to buy a motorbike for easier transportation. With the remaining money, she opened a beverage stall. As a result, her life has gradually stabilized, and she no longer experiences hunger as before. Similarly, the family of Ms. Trinh Ly Na in Tra Lay 1 hamlet, Thuan Hung commune, received capital support, which allowed them to buy sewing machines and overlock machines to work at home, increasing their income and gradually stabilizing their lives.

After more than three years of implementing the National Target Program 1719, Soc Trang province has provided land and housing support to thousands of ethnic minority households; and built hundreds of infrastructure projects.

After more than three years of implementing the National Target Program 1719, with a total capital of 1,030.878 billion VND, Soc Trang province has provided land and housing support to thousands of ethnic minority households; built hundreds of infrastructure projects; and implemented over 67 models to support production development and diversify livelihoods... As a result, the lives of ethnic minority people in the province have gradually changed, and the rural landscape is becoming increasingly vibrant.

Towards sustainable development

It can be affirmed that investment resources from the National Target Program 1719 are an important "launching pad," helping ethnic minority areas in Soc Trang province to transform strongly. With the responsible involvement of the entire political system, the consensus and efforts of ethnic minorities throughout Soc Trang province have helped 100% of communes in ethnic minority areas have paved roads to their centers; 100% of communes have solid school buildings and maintain the standard of universal primary education; 100% of communes, wards, and towns meet the National Criteria for Commune Health... This year's Sen Dolta Festival seems to bring more joy and excitement to the Khmer people in Soc Trang province as their lives continue to develop and rural areas show many positive changes...

Thanks to funding from Program 1719, My Thuan commune, My Tu district, now has a centralized water supply station, bringing clean water to the Khmer ethnic minority people.

Furthermore, the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage continues to receive attention; education and training in ethnic minority areas are constantly being reformed, the level of public awareness and the quality of human resources are gradually improving; healthcare and people's health services are being strengthened; and the tradition of solidarity among ethnic groups is being promoted...

Mr. Tran Van Lau, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Steering Committee for National Target Programs in Soc Trang province for the period 2021-2025, stated: “To ensure the quality and effectiveness of the implementation of National Target Program 1719 in the coming time, it is necessary to continue strengthening and innovating communication work, raising awareness and responsibility of officials, Party members, union members, association members, and the entire society regarding sustainable poverty reduction and social security. Each household needs to proactively and diligently strive in labor and production to sustainably overcome poverty on its own, avoiding the mentality of relying on help and support from the State and society. Focus on and accelerate the disbursement of funds for national target programs, ensuring that the allocated capital is disbursed on schedule and according to plan.”

Soc Trang province strives to achieve the following goals by 2029: the average income of ethnic minority people will equal the provincial average; 100% of communes, wards, and towns in ethnic minority areas will have upgraded, asphalted, or concrete roads leading to the commune center; 100% of ethnic minority people will have access to the national power grid and other suitable power sources; 100% of ethnic minority people will have access to information and audiovisual media; safe housing will be arranged for ethnic minority households residing in areas at risk of landslides and rising sea levels; and environmental degradation and pollution will be prevented.

Soc Trang: Visiting and giving gifts to Khmer temples in border areas during the Sen Dolta Festival 2024.

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/am-ap-sen-dolta-1727684581389.htm