"Helping" children in the highlands

Share experiences in taking care of young children

Late autumn morning, the road leading to Quang Tan commune is still covered with dew. The sound of laughter and chatter echoes from the Cultural House of Mao San Cau village, where members of the commune's "Child Care and Education " model hold regular meetings. Women of childbearing age are sharing stories about playing with their children, teaching them to say thank you, sorry... Things that seem simple but contain a change in perception and parenting style in the new life.

Ms. Hoang Thi Loan (Mao San Cau village), a member of the model, said: "I gave birth to a son in 2022. At that time, I thought that raising a child was just about feeding and dressing well, and that educating was the school's job. Now I understand that parents are their children's first teachers."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dan Thuy, Head of the "Child Care and Education" model in Quang Tan commune, shares skills in raising young children in a family.

On the wooden table, propaganda materials were distributed to each person by the Women's Union staff. Today's topic was "How to play with children". Everyone enthusiastically discussed and told each other simple experiences in the family: the story of a child helping his mother pick vegetables; the father and his child playing soccer in the afternoon... Those small stories are contributing to changing the perspective and thinking of many ethnic minority parents here.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dan Thuy, Head of the model, shared: "We maintain regular monthly activities. Besides direct exchanges, members also have a Zalo group to share knowledge and experiences. When parents understand more about gender equality in educating their children, children will develop more comprehensively."

From seemingly simple meetings, the model has become the "nucleus" spreading the spirit of the Project "Propaganda and mobilization to improve nutrition and physical strength for children in highland, ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Quang Ninh province in the period of 2022-2025". The model currently has 31 members, living in 10/31 highland villages, many of whom are ethnic minorities. In some villages, 100% of the population are ethnic minorities such as: Na Thong, Na Cang.

Ms. Dan Thuy added: "We not only promote through meetings at the Cultural House, but also go to each family with young children to listen and share. Many women with young children are still shy, afraid to talk, do not know how to take care of their children properly, just do it out of habit; so we have to go to their place and guide them step by step."

Sisters — Provincial Women's Union officials share child-rearing knowledge with women in Ky Thuong commune.

These practical activities have helped many women in the highlands change. They learn to listen to their children, respect them, and share housework with their husbands. Since then, domestic violence and gender inequality have gradually receded, giving way to peace and love in every home.

Ms. Nguyen Thu Thuy, President of the Women's Union of Quang Tan Commune, said: The model "Caring for and educating children" is very meaningful. The activities and conversations help women understand that they have the right to be respected and protected. When women are more confident, the whole community also becomes more progressive.

Deep humanistic meaning

On July 7, 2023, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 1889/QD-UBND approving the Project "Propaganda and mobilization to improve nutrition and physical strength for children in highland, ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Quang Ninh province for the period 2022-2025". Implementing the Project, all levels and sectors have had creative and effective ways of doing things. The Provincial Women's Union has become a core force, a pioneer in propaganda, mobilization, and implementation of many practical models and projects, including the model "Childcare and education".

The Provincial Women's Union Executive Committee issued a plan to establish and launch 16 models of "Child Care and Education" in 16 communes in 7 districts, towns and cities: Ha Long, Ba Che, Binh Lieu, Tien Yen, Dam Ha, Hai Ha, Van Don. The model was built with the aim of creating conditions and an environment for mothers and caregivers of children under 5 years old in communes with high rates of malnutrition to participate in activities, exchange, share, update, and improve knowledge and skills on scientific child care and education...; creating conditions to ensure children's best intellectual and physical development.

After July 1, 2025 (implementation of 2-level local government), this model continues to be maintained, consolidated, and operated stably. In highland communes, regular meetings still take place, with increasingly rich content, closely linked to the real lives of the people.

The "Child Care and Education" model in Ky Thuong commune currently has 60 members, all of whom are women with children aged 5 and under. At the meetings, members combine practice and instruction in cooking nutritious meals, helping women learn and do, making it easy to remember and apply in daily life. Members and leaders of the model regularly promote and care at home, going to each household with young children to instruct on child-rearing skills. Classes without blackboards or chalk have helped women become more confident in their journey of raising children with love and knowledge.

Ms. La Thi Hoa, Head of the model, shared: “Many women in the highland villages of the commune still have limited knowledge about child care and education. Through the activities, women are instructed on how to recognize malnutrition, how to cook nutritious meals, how to play and talk to stimulate children's intellectual development. Many mothers said that since participating in the model, their children eat better and get sick less often."

Thanks to the persistent approach, the model was quickly accepted by the people of Ky Thuong commune. The women actively participated, shared experiences, and supported each other in taking care of their children. Children were cared for and looked after more properly. The rate of malnourished children decreased year by year. Many children who were previously stunted and pale are now healthy and agile. The image of mothers carrying their children to community activities has gradually become familiar and close, like a cultural beauty in the highlands.

Participating in the model, women in Khe Nhang village (Ky Thuong commune) carry their children to the village cultural house to learn child-rearing skills.

Ms. Pham Thi The, President of the Women's Union of Ky Thuong commune, said: This model is a practical activity within the Project "Propaganda and mobilization to improve nutrition and physical strength for children in highland, ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Quang Ninh province in the period of 2022-2025", aiming to raise awareness and scientific parenting skills for ethnic minority women. We want to help mothers understand that taking care of children is not only about feeding them well and dressing them warmly, but also about giving them love and comprehensive development. The propaganda sessions are all linked to reality, such as guiding parents to talk to their children, teaching them to greet them, maintain personal hygiene, and prevent seasonal diseases... Small changes but have a huge impact on children's development.

The model of “Child Care and Education” is being built and implemented in communes with high rates of malnourished children in the province today and is considered a model with profound humanistic significance. From small changes in each meal and sleep, to the maturity in the awareness of parents, the model has, is, and will continue to spread good values of love, responsibility and faith in the future. In areas with many difficulties, the clear laughter of children has become the clearest proof of the success of the model.

Lan Anh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/nang-buoc-tre-tho-vung-cao-3382685.html