Beautifying the country roads

Behind the bright, green, clean, and beautiful appearance of many roads in the province lies the mark of a series of innovative and effective models and approaches implemented by women's associations at all levels in the province. Pioneering the mobilization of social resources to build flower-lined roads and green fences, linked with the "Clean House, Beautiful Garden" model and women's self-managed alleyways, have contributed to creating a civilized rural landscape.

Women in Bai Trai village, Yen Dinh commune, clean up the area and take care of the trees.

Unlike before, when many rural women focused solely on increasing agricultural production and developing their family's economy , paying little attention to planting flowers and ornamental plants in front of their houses and in public places, since the implementation of the New Rural Development movement, no matter how busy they are, they make time to plant trees in front of their houses and along village roads. During their free time, they diligently prepare the soil, prune each seedling, fertilize, and proactively water to maintain moisture for the plants... Each person has a different task, but they all work with enthusiasm.

In many branches, women gather to weed, till the soil, and then pool money to buy seedlings to plant. Once the plants grow, they prune and propagate them in seedling trays to plant along other routes, thus reducing costs. Using this method, for the past three years, the Hoa Quy Commune Women's Union has organized seedling nurseries in the vacant lots of village cultural centers and commune offices for easier care. The seedlings include: tea plants, lantana, golden bellflower, hibiscus, etc., with quantities of 10,000 or more seedlings. From 2023 to the present, the Hoa Quy Commune Women's Union has planted 12km of green hedges, contributing to the creation of "flower lanes" and "green lanes" to beautify rural roads. The practice of propagating seedlings in seedling trays for planting green hedges has helped the Commune Women's Union save more than 50% on seedling costs.

The women's self-managed road in Bai Trai village, Yen Dinh commune, is approximately 300 meters long. Both sides of the road are lined with lush green trees. Previously, when the trees were first planted along this road, the women took turns caring for them twice a day – early morning and late afternoon – watering and fertilizing them to ensure their health. Despite the hard work, they persevered and were determined to continue caring for the trees. As a result, the tree-lined road has now become one of the most beautiful roads in the commune.

Women in Bai Trai village, Yen Dinh commune, clean up the area and take care of the trees.

Ms. Luu Thi Lai, head of the women's association in Bai Trai village, said: "Although it's hard work, we feel happy participating in planting and caring for the flower-lined roads because we've beautified the landscape of our village. Now, the women are responsible for many green hedges and find joy in planting, caring for, and trimming them in their lives, beautifying both their homes and the village."

In Thieu Tien commune, most of the maintenance of flower-lined roads and green spaces is handled by older women. The entire commune has 23 "Tree Nursery" models located at village cultural centers and the homes of association officials to provide seedlings for planting along roads, creating green hedges and tree-lined streets, contributing to the implementation of the "Clean House, Green Garden, Bright Alley, Beautiful Road, Culturally Advanced Village" model.

Ms. Trinh Thi Nu, President of the Women's Union of the commune, shared: "On sunny days, the women in the branches take turns watering the plants. On rainy and stormy days, fearing the plants will fall, they find ways to support and brace them to keep them standing. It's hard work, but seeing the green hedges along the roads, cared for by the women's hands, thriving, everyone feels happy and appreciative."

Women in Thieu Tien commune plant various types of trees along the self-managed road.

Models and movements bearing the mark of women, such as: "Women's Association with 5 No's and 3 Cleanliness Standards," "Clean House, Beautiful Garden," "Clean Saturday, Green Sunday," "Flower and Green Streets," "Women's Self-Managed Roads,"... all have the silent contributions of each branch and group. The meaningful and practical actions of these women not only beautify the countryside but also ignite a spirit of responsibility, sharing, and love for their homeland among rural women. They are the "key" to creating the new rural landscape.

Quietly but persistently, the creative approaches of women in Thanh Hoa have brought about changes to the countryside. Village roads and alleys are clean and beautiful, adorned with vibrant flowers; fences, flowerbeds, and pathways are bright, green, clean, and beautiful... Through these small tasks, they have awakened awareness of environmental protection and friendliness, fostered a sense of self-discipline, and promoted a civilized lifestyle within the community.

Text and photos: Le Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/lam-dep-nhung-duong-que-283190.htm