'The Construction Team' gives fishing rods to underprivileged young people.

TPO - Overcoming difficulties in the border region of Dak Pring (Da Nang City), youth leader Hien Cuon has transformed construction into a "fishing rod" that helps himself and many other young people in the area escape poverty sustainably. From small community projects, the "Construction Team" has gradually become a livelihood support for disadvantaged youth in the mountainous region.

From construction apprentice to life-changing career in construction.

Born and raised in the border commune of Dak Pring ( Da Nang City), Hien Cuon (born in 1994, Secretary of the Youth Union of Hamlet 49a, Dak Pring commune) comes from an extremely difficult family background, having lost his mother and older brother at a young age. Cuon's childhood was marked by deprivation, both material and spiritual, which early on fostered in him a sense of self-reliance and a desire to improve his life.

Hien Cuon rose out of poverty thanks to the construction industry.

After completing his military service, in 2016, Cuon moved to Tam Ky City (formerly Quang Nam province) to complete his supplementary education program and study a vocational course at the Central Vietnam Economic and Technical Vocational College, hoping to find employment soon, help his family, and support himself.

“I chose to study construction as a trade by chance. Initially, I wanted to learn carpentry, but no one registered, so the school didn't open a class. I only had to choose between electrical work and construction, so I chose construction with the dream of contributing to changing the face of my hometown,” Cuon recounted.

After completing his course, Cuon returned to his hometown to start a business amidst difficult economic conditions for the local people. Initially, Cuon mainly helped villagers build foundations and lay tiles, both to earn extra income and to gain experience, partly because he was new to the trade and partly because people in the mountainous region did not yet have the means to build sturdy houses.

Later, when construction teams from the lowlands came to the commune to work on projects, Cuon proactively volunteered to work as an assistant, both to make ends meet and to learn the trade and improve his skills in a real-world work environment.

The time spent working on construction projects helped Cuon hone his skills and accumulate valuable experience. In the mountainous commune, transportation is extremely difficult, with many projects located in precarious positions and treacherous trails, making it impossible to transport materials by motorized vehicles. Hien Cuon is always ready to take on the most challenging tasks.

“In mountainous areas, materials are expensive, and roads are very difficult to travel on, so transportation costs are high. Sometimes, when building projects in remote areas, the workers have to walk and carry materials all the way to the site. I'm used to walking or riding a motorbike to transport materials to the construction site,” Cuon said.

In border areas, transporting construction materials to various locations is very difficult.

It was his diligence, thirst for knowledge, and willingness to think outside the box that helped this young man from the Ve ethnic group overcome immediate difficulties, rise out of poverty, and secure a stable job and career in his hometown. Today, Hien Cuon earns an average of 20 million VND per month, becoming the economic pillar that has helped his family escape poverty.

Besides stabilizing his family's finances, builder Hien Cuon is also known by people in and outside the village for his dedication and responsibility to his profession. He has helped many families build sturdy houses, providing them with safe shelter during the rainy and stormy seasons; he has participated in the construction of many public works in the area, contributing to changing the face of this border commune which still faces many difficulties.

"I hope to contribute, using my profession to help my fellow villagers and dedicate myself to my homeland, not only developing my family's economy but also helping young people in the area to engage in economic activities and escape poverty sustainably," Cuon said.

Giving "fishing rods" to disadvantaged young people

As the village's Youth Union leader, he also boldly established a "Construction Team" to support disadvantaged Youth Union members and young people in learning a trade and securing a stable livelihood in the locality. To date, the "Construction Team" has attracted about 20 members, all young people in the area who do not have the means to work far from home.

"The Construction Team" helps disadvantaged young people in the area find stable jobs and income.

Cuôn took on contracts for residential construction and small-scale community projects, then coordinated with his group members to participate, creating stable jobs for them. Through this model, many disadvantaged and underprivileged young people were given the "tools to fish," acquiring stable jobs and generating income to improve their lives, as envisioned by leader Hien Cuôn.

Over nearly five years of operation, the "Construction Team" has directly built and repaired dozens of houses in the commune, contributing to improving the lives of local people.

It was his diligence, thirst for knowledge, and willingness to think outside the box that helped this young man from the Ve ethnic group overcome immediate difficulties, rise out of poverty, and secure a stable job and career in his hometown. Today, Hien Cuon earns an average of 20 million VND per month, becoming the economic pillar that has helped his family escape poverty.

In addition, as the Youth Union Secretary of the village, Hien Cuon actively mobilized members of the "Construction Team" to participate in common activities, contributing to changing the face of the new rural area of ​​the commune. He directly organized and mobilized youth union members to carry out many practical youth projects and tasks such as: building houses for disadvantaged households, "Borderland Shelters", incinerators for residential areas, toilets, and other public works in the area...

To date, Cuon and his "Construction Team" have participated in the implementation of 5 rural development projects in Dak Pring commune; and supported the repair and construction of 11 houses for disadvantaged households, families entitled to preferential policies, and vulnerable youth.

The "Construction Team" has undertaken numerous youth projects and initiatives, contributing to the development of new rural areas.

Furthermore, he is also willing to support, share professional experience, and provide career guidance to young people in the village, contributing to preserving and promoting traditional crafts in the locality.

“Born and raised in a difficult mountainous border region, I have always been concerned about and wanted to escape poverty and contribute to building and developing my homeland. Maintaining the spirit of a pioneering, self-reliant youth, daring to think and act, has helped me grow every day and realize my dream of escaping poverty,” Cuon shared.

With his efforts to overcome poverty and contribute to his homeland, Hien Cuon has also received many commendations and awards from the central and local authorities, such as: the Certificate of "Youth Living Beautifully" award in 2024 from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union; a commendation from the Minister and Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities for outstanding achievements in learning, training and work in 2024; the commendation of advanced youth following Uncle Ho's teachings in the period 2021-2023 from the Quang Nam Provincial Youth Union; and the commendation of youth following Uncle Ho's teachings nationwide for the 8th time in 2025…

The image of young people from ethnic minority groups carrying building materials up the mountain, erecting walls and roofs with perseverance and responsibility, has become a powerful source of inspiration, spreading the spirit of self-reliance and entrepreneurship among the youth of Dak Pring commune.

“Along with the ‘Construction Team’ model, I hope to ‘mentor’ disadvantaged and struggling young people in the commune to help them escape poverty, contribute to building new rural areas, assist people in building roads, repairing houses, and improving community life,” said Hien Cuon, Secretary of the Youth Union of Hamlet 49a, Dac Pring Commune.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/biet-doi-tho-xay-trao-can-cau-cho-thanh-nien-kho-khan-post1807141.tpo