"Beauty" 5 years registered to be a peacekeeper in the poorest place in the world

(Dan Tri) - Temporarily putting aside their roles as wives and mothers, many Vietnamese "beauties" have gone to South Sudan to carry out international peacekeeping missions.

"Why did you sign up again?" One evening in May 2022, the husband of Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang (Chief of Administration of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5) spoke up after seeing his wife's volunteer application to go to South Sudan. "I came back because I wanted to help African children...", Trang said and then received a nod of agreement from her husband. In 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Thuy Trang was one of 63 members of the Vietnamese military medical team who went to the poorest country in the world for a peacekeeping mission. There, the young girl actively participated in examining and treating children and African women. It was the image of those poor people that planted a love in the young girl's heart. "This time I came back, I prepared some gifts and was determined to devote myself to children and women because I still have a promise to them," the lieutenant colonel smiled, telling Dan Tri reporter.

Lieutenant Colonel Thuy Trang has volunteered for the second time to go to South Sudan (Photo: Huu Khoa).

Husband acts as a rear guard for wife to carry out her duties

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang is one of 10 female members of the Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 who continued their mission in South Sudan early on June 29. The ceremony was attended byPresident Vo Van Thuong, Chairman of the National Defense and Security Council, Commander-in-Chief of the People's Armed Forces. Speaking at the ceremony, President Vo Van Thuong said that the luggage of the 63 officers and soldiers of the Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5 and the Engineering Team No. 2 is national pride, solidarity, initiative, creativity, professionalism and the noble qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers.

President Vo Van Thuong speaks at the ceremony (Photo: Huu Khoa).

As one of the 10 female soldiers of the group, professional Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Thi Thanh Hang (Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hospital 175) shared that she had waited 5 years to join the ranks today. Senior Lieutenant Hang recalled that in 2017, when Vietnam's mission to South Sudan was deployed, she quickly registered. However, at that time, she was only in the reserve ranks. "Three years later, I gave birth prematurely, and had to hold my baby in the hospital the whole time, so I missed the appointment. For many years, I have been anxiously waiting for news that I could leave for duty. It was not until May 2022, when the decision was made, that I was happy and very proud," the Senior Lieutenant happily said.

The family of Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Thi Thanh Hang attended the farewell ceremony before departing for duty (Photo: Huy Hau).

What makes Ms. Hang happy is that in the process of realizing her wish, she always received support from her family, especially from her husband. Although they both performed tasks in the military medical sector, since their child was born prematurely, her husband has stayed home, choosing to become the one to take care of and raise the children. "I feel grateful to him for sacrificing so that I could join the ranks of the United Nations medical team in South Sudan," Hang smiled. Lieutenant Thuy Trang shared that when she first came to the neighboring country, she encountered countless difficulties due to cultural differences, harsh weather, etc. However, it was the friendliness of the people in Africa that gave her the feeling of loving that poor land. "I have gone through a lot of hardships, but it makes me want to carry out my duties even more. At that time, my husband also accepted to stay home to raise our children. There were times when I missed my family, and I only dared to call home 1-2 times a week because the signal was weak and expensive where I was stationed. However, it was the order of the Fatherland, so I always felt very proud," Trang smiled.

The farewell atmosphere before departure moved many Vietnamese people (Photo: Huu Khoa).

Practice English for a year, determined to complete the task well

Since May 2022, after receiving the international peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, the soldiers have been quickly trained. In addition to learning more about medical expertise and technical logistics, what each person needs to ensure is that they have achieved the required English certificate according to the United Nations' conditions. According to Lieutenant Colonel Mai Hop (Deputy Director of Level 2 Field Hospital No. 5), the initial period was extremely difficult when many soldiers were old. However, with the determination and attention of leaders at all levels, all of them have successfully completed the training mission. The Lieutenant Colonel shared that the mission of the 63 soldiers this time will be to focus on medical examination and treatment for United Nations staff and ensure the health of local people within the permitted scope. This is the noble mission of Vietnamese soldiers to the international community. "Representing the nation, people and army to a difficult country is a challenge for us, but also a source of great pride. We are determined to successfully complete the task," said Lieutenant Colonel Mai Hop.

It is known that the Level 5 Field Hospital No. 2 will participate in medical examination and treatment, ensuring health for the United Nations and people in South Sudan (Photo: Huu Khoa).

Working in a foreign country for the first time, Senior Lieutenant Thanh Hang still felt confused, especially as a woman. However, she was determined to overcome difficulties and complete her mission. "As a Vietnamese child going to participate in peacekeeping for a foreign country, I will ensure my health and complete my work well before returning to Vietnam," the senior lieutenant said. Established on November 25, 2014, the Field Hospital under Military Hospital 175 has deployed United Nations peacekeeping activities. After many years of operation, Military Hospital 175 has sent 3 field hospitals including No. 2 level 1, No. 2 level 3 and now No. 2 level 5 to South Sudan (Africa) to carry out the mission. In particular, every year, dozens of volunteers register to go to war for the Fatherland. Content: Huy Hau Photo: Huu Khoa.

June 30, 2023

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