Part 2: Keeping the fire burning in distant lands

From the high mountains to the sunny and windy land

After Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Nghe An, recently, after storm No. 10 swept through Ha Tinh , leaving behind roofs in disarray and a tangle of broken power lines, the "warriors" of Lai Chau Power Company (PCLC) set out again. With the spirit of "people lacking electricity is our responsibility", sixty officers and workers of the Company were mobilized, divided into two groups, carrying full means, equipment, supplies and the spirit of "4 on-site", "3 ready" to head straight to the Central region. They traveled hundreds of kilometers, marching all night to be present at the eye of the storm. Without regard to formalities or procedures, immediately after arriving at the scene, all matters of food and accommodation were put aside, they quickly rebuilt the rows of power poles that had been broken by the storm, pulled the power lines, and reconnected the "lifeline" for the people in the flooded areas. They came not only to restore electricity, but also to rebuild faith - the most lasting light in every human being.

Admiring your silent sacrifices, even though the people are still facing many difficulties, some bring water, some give tea, sometimes just a greeting to show the love of fellow countrymen. Those things are rustic but sincere, simple but warm. A Ha Tinh resident said emotionally: You came like family. It is no longer raining but your clothes are soaked. Thanks to you, our people are more confident in overcoming difficulties, more confident, more loving to the Party, the country, and our fellow countrymen.

When talking about the Central region, it would be a mistake not to mention the construction of the 500kV line 3. This is not only a power transmission project between the two ends of the country, but also carries within it the aspiration to conquer nature, the aspiration to rise of the nation. And on that key construction site, there are the hands of Lai Chau electricians. Although they know that the Central region is hot as fire, the Lao wind is hot, and national-level projects always require strict discipline, when assigned the task of constructing two pole positions 359 and 368 on the Quang Trach ( Quang Binh ) - Pho Noi (Hung Yen) route, they still enthusiastically set off. After many days of "eating in the forest, sleeping in the mountains", the two pole positions were completed ahead of schedule, ensuring absolute safety for people and vehicles.

Mr. Nguyen Tai Son - Worker of Lai Chau High Voltage Grid Enterprise shared: "Every time I see the 500kV pole towering in the sky, I remember the days and nights at the construction site erecting the pole. It was difficult, very hard, very tiring, but extremely happy. Because it is my effort, the effort of Lai Chau people, marked on the electricity map of Vietnam. How many people in life have such an honor!"

Pulling electricity over thousands

In Lai Chau, electricity is not only energy, but also the lifeblood, the driving force for the ethnic minorities here to overcome difficulties and rise up. In the middle of high mountains and remote villages, a light bulb lit up is a step forward, an opportunity to change people's lives. More than anyone, the electricians in this border area understand that very well. I used to follow them through steep slopes, through villages dozens of kilometers from the center, carrying wires, pliers, poles, flashlights, rice balls and the faith and expectations of the villagers. In the rainy season, the roads are slippery, sometimes we have to carry materials and pull the wires by hand. It is so difficult, so hard, but no one complains. I still remember when I was constructing a power line from the east to the west slope of Pu Sam Cap mountain range for the people in Pu Sam Cap commune, in the jungle rain, a worker wiped the rain off his face and said: "We are just afraid that without electricity, our people will have to live in the dark. As for the rain and wind, we have been used to it for a long time." Yes, strangely enough, they get used to the difficulties and hardships!

And recently, there was the exclamation of Mr. Vang A Mang (Khau Hom village, Nam So commune) when he first turned on the switch, connecting the light bulb in his house to the national power line: My village is far from the center, it is difficult to get to the village, let alone build an electric line. I thought my whole life would be nothing but night fog and darkness. But now… Life is really not a dream!

Light of the human heart

Talking about the hearts of Lai Chau electricians, if we only talk about power lines and poles, it is not enough. Because they not only light up with wires and machines, but also with their kindness. For many years, PCLC has always been a pioneer in social security, humanitarian and charitable activities. From supporting the Central region people affected by natural disasters with 151 million VND, supporting Ha Tinh Electricity Company with 20 million, helping Thai Binh Electricity with 100 million to overcome storm Yagi, to donations to the Children's Support Fund, humanitarian facilities, and the For the Poor Fund... All are done with a heart of sharing, without shouting or showing off. They also worked with the Provincial National Assembly Delegation to build 6 houses for poor households with a total value of 390 million VND, handing over the lighting project in Chu Va 6 village, supporting students of social protection facilities to learn a trade and have a job.

Every Tet holiday, the program “Giving trust – Sending love” is on the road again. Gift-carrying vehicles continuously climb uphill, through the fog to Sin Ho, Muong Te, Than Uyen, bringing warm blankets, rice, clothes and smiles. There are villages without electricity – where the only light is a torch in the middle of the night, they still come, carrying the promise that “their village will also be bright”. For them, volunteering is not just about giving, but about keeping the light in people’s hearts warm.

Another proof of the heart of the Electricity workers for the people in the highlands is the impressive numbers after PCLC implemented Resolution 30a/2008/NQ-CP of the Government on "Program to support rapid and sustainable poverty reduction for 61 poor districts". After tens of thousands of working days, thousands of people, along with nearly 1,000 billion VND serving the project, the Electricity industry has brought about a "transformation" for the highland villages. From only about 30% of the villages having electricity (in 2009), up to now the light of the Party, the light of civilization has followed the electricity to more than 99% of the villages, hamlets, and residential areas. Although knowing that there are still many difficulties, but with the kind hearts of the Electricity workers, certainly, tomorrow the number will be all the villages of the province using the national grid.

Recently, when the whole country joined hands to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses, PCLC cooperated with the Provincial National Assembly Delegation to support the construction and donation of 6 charity houses to poor households. Along with that, the Company launched a fundraising campaign to support the program with a total amount of 300 million VND, contributing a warm fire to light the humanitarian journey of electricians in the border area.

Let me end this article with the image of the border afternoon, clouds drifting slowly over the majestic Hoang Lien range. Amidst the deep green of the great forest, the rays of light shining from the roofs of houses in Khau Hom village (Nam So commune) seem to dispel the silence of the mountains and forests. Under the lights, children cheer and play in the yard at the entrance of the village, the elderly sit leaning against the door, watching and smiling. A satisfied smile...

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/xa-hoi/ky-2-giu-lua-mien-xa-1341582