A bridge of charity connects shores of joy.

At the age of 70, a time when people should be enjoying a peaceful life with their children and grandchildren, Mr. Ho Minh Thu (Khanh Hoa hamlet, Sa Dec ward, Dong Thap province), the team leader of the Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team (Sa Dec ward), along with his team members, still actively contributes to building many bridges and modern roads in rural areas. This meaningful work helps people travel and trade goods more easily, promoting local socio-economic development.

THE HEART OF A "DOWNHOOD ENGINEER"

Arriving at Dong Quoi hamlet at noon on the last day of November 2025, more than 20 people from the Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team were mixing batches of concrete to pour for the pillars of the Cai Be 3 bridge connecting the two hamlets of Dong Quoi and Khanh Hoa .

Mr. Ho Minh Thu, Team Leader of Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team (on the left), always stands side-by-side with the team members on every charitable bridge and road project.

The atmosphere at work was lively, with everyone doing their part and coordinating very smoothly; the women shoveled stones and sand into buckets, while the men divided into two groups, one group carrying stones and cement to pour into the mortar mixer, and always having someone on duty to supervise the mixing process to produce high-quality concrete batches.

The rest of the group poured the bridge piers; some stood guard while the concrete mixer poured the concrete into the bucket of the concrete mixer, while skilled masons sat on the bridge foundation over the river, waiting for the concrete mixer to deliver the concrete so they could spread it evenly across the surface with trowels.

The work is arduous, with dust and fumes from cement, sand, and stone in front of them, but with enthusiasm, the team members do not shy away from the hardship. Standing beside the rattling concrete mixer, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan (51 years old, Tan Thuan hamlet, Phong Hoa commune) always tries to control the machine to mix the concrete evenly, producing batches of quality concrete for pouring the bridge pillars.

Despite the hard work, the members of the Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team remain enthusiastic and dedicated.

Mr. Tuan confided: "My family are farmers. When Mr. Ho Minh Thu encouraged me, I participated in building bridges and roads as a volunteer for many years. I can do any job, from carrying stones and cement to mixing mortar..."

Although it's a bit hard work, every time I see a bridge or road being built, I feel very excited."

Not far from the concrete mixer, Mr. Lu Van Ut Bach (66 years old, residing in Hung Quoi 1 hamlet, Tan Khanh Trung commune) is sitting on the frame pouring concrete for bridge piers in the river, his hands nimbly using a trowel to spread concrete according to the mold of the bridge piers.

With beads of sweat on his face, Mr. Ut Bach spoke as he worked: "This year, I'm 66 years old, and my health isn't as good as it used to be, but I still contribute to building bridges and roads. This work is hard, but I've gotten used to it; I feel very sad if I don't do it."

Not only elderly farmers, but many women are also enthusiastically building bridges and roads. Ms. Le Thi Ve (63 years old, Hung Quoi 1 hamlet, Tan Khanh Trung commune) shared: “Now that my family's finances are stable, I join the volunteer team. I do things like: shoveling stones and sand, pouring water for the mortar mixer…”

Undeterred by hardship and dirt, the members of the Volunteer Team
Tan Khanh Dong enthusiastically participated in the construction of rural bridges and roads.

On average, I participate in building about 4-5 bridges and roads each year. I contribute my efforts alongside the Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team to build many bridges and roads, helping to make travel more convenient for the people.”

Besides volunteers from within the province, the Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team also attracts many people from outside the province. Ms. Phan Thi Truc Ha (50 years old) and Mr. Le Van Thao (48 years old), residing in Binh Phu 1 hamlet, Binh Hoa commune, An Giang province, traveled over 50 km from An Giang to Sa Dec ward to contribute to the bridge construction. Ms. Truc Ha said: “Whenever Mr. Minh Thu lets us know, my husband and I arrange our household chores to come and help. Participating in building bridges and roads gives me more spiritual joy when I can help society.”

CONNECTING THE BRIDGES OF DREAMS

Although they are simple, hardworking farmers busy with their fields, and not professional civil engineers, the members of the team all share a common spirit of volunteerism.

Their meaningful work is contributing their sweat and effort to building rural roads and bridges.

The bridges built by the Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team help the people of Sa Dec ward to travel and trade goods more easily.

Sharing about the circumstances that led to the establishment of the Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team in Sa Dec ward, Mr. Ho Minh Thu, the team leader, said that his family was involved in the production of ornamental flowers and plants, and previously resided in Tan Khanh Dong commune, Sa Dec city (formerly).

Driven by a desire to contribute to society, he conceived the idea of ​​repairing and constructing bridges and roads to support local transportation development.

Mr. Thu said: "Thinking is doing, so I and my fellow volunteers in the neighborhood got together to build bridges and repair roads. At that time, bridge and road construction was very rudimentary, mainly consisting of wooden bridges and small concrete bridges."

Over time, the number of members has increased. Around 2018, the group changed its name to the Tan Khanh Dong Commune Volunteer Team, and is now the Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team, Sa Dec Ward. The members of the team are very enthusiastic; many live far away and have busy schedules, but when I mentioned it, they came to contribute their time and effort.”

To date, the volunteer team has approximately 50 members, all benevolent individuals from provinces such as Dong Thap, An Giang, and Can Tho. The team's main work is constructing bridges and roads free of charge within and outside the Sa Dec ward.

In addition to contributing their labor, the team members also voluntarily contributed money to build modern bridges and roads to serve the people.

In addition, Mr. Ho Minh Thu also took the initiative to receive support from benefactors to help the local community purchase construction materials. In some projects, Mr. Thu both contributed financially and directly participated in the work, working alongside his colleagues to complete the projects from start to finish.

"We were just amateur builders, so at first, the bridges weren't very good and had some limitations. However, we learned from experience, shared knowledge, and guided each other to make the construction of bridges and roads more and more perfect."

"Building bridges and roads is quite hard work, but every time I see a newly completed bridge, my heart fills with joy, dispelling all fatigue. That's also the motivation that has kept me committed to this job over the years," Mr. Thu shared.

Over the years, the Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team has contributed more than 1,000 man-days of labor, directly constructing 12 concrete bridges, 2 wooden bridges, building over 1 km of paved road and laying gravel on more than 1 km of dirt road…

This has made it easier for people to travel and trade goods. Since the beginning of 2025 alone, the construction team has completed two concrete bridges and 500 meters of paved road.

These results clearly demonstrate the spirit of solidarity, dedication, and responsibility towards the community of the Volunteer Team. Rain or shine, the team members tirelessly contribute to building bridges and transportation routes. This journey of compassion has connected two banks, bringing joy to countless rural people.

Sharing her joy at having a convenient road, Mrs. Nguyen Thi That (89 years old, residing in Dong Quoi hamlet, Sa Dec ward) excitedly said: "Previously, the road in front of my house was a narrow, rocky road, making it difficult to travel in the rain, especially for transporting velvet grass to sell."

"Last month, the road was paved with concrete thanks to support from the government and the volunteer team in the ward. The newly completed road is wide, clean, and beautiful, making it convenient for people to travel, and I am very happy about it."

Comrade Le Thi Tuyet Nhung, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Sa Dec Ward, said: “The practical contributions of Mr. Ho Minh Thu and the members of the Tan Khanh Dong Volunteer Team have helped improve transportation conditions, serving production and the lives of the people.”

Through this, we will strengthen and promote the spirit of solidarity within the community, create a ripple effect in the patriotic emulation movement, the road and bridge construction movement in Sa Dec ward, and promote the cultural values ​​and compassion of the people of Sa Dec.”

MY XUYEN

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/nhip-cau-thien-nguyen-noi-nhung-bo-vui-a233798.html