The "bridges" in Ea Rốk

Through their prestige and experience, influential figures among the ethnic minority communities of Ea Rốk commune have become a bridge connecting the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws to the people.

Ea Rốk commune currently has 25 influential figures among the ethnic minority communities. Leveraging their prestige, experience, and understanding of local customs and traditions, these village elders and influential individuals actively promote and encourage their fellow villagers to abide by the guidelines, policies, and laws; participate in maintaining security and order; eradicate outdated customs; and build a civilized way of life within the community.

Many influential people in Ea Rốk commune still hold positions at the grassroots level such as Party branch secretary, village/hamlet head, head of the Fatherland Front working committee, mediation team, security team… They are truly the core force in uniting, maintaining social stability and sustainable development.

For example, Mr. Y Sum Êban (of the Jrai ethnic group), Party Branch Secretary and a respected figure in Hamlet 8, Ea Rốk (formerly M'Tha village), Ea Rốk commune. Not only is he an exemplary cadre and Party member who always "matches words with actions," but he is also a close and deeply connected person to the local people.

Mr. Y Sum Êban (far left), Party Branch Secretary and respected figure in Hamlet 8, Ea Rốk (formerly M'Tha village), Ea Rốk commune, shares his experience in carrying out propaganda work.

Village 8 in Ea Rok has 190 households and over 760 inhabitants, with ethnic minorities accounting for 80% of the population. The people's lives are still difficult due to limited arable land, with many areas frequently flooded during the rainy season and experiencing water shortages during the dry season. To help the villagers develop their economy and make the most of the provided seedlings and livestock, Mr. Y Sum, along with the villagers, participated in training courses on farming and animal husbandry techniques; they dug drainage ditches, selected drought-resistant plant varieties, and dug wells and ponds to store water for irrigation.

With over 67% of the population being ethnic minorities, influential individuals have truly served as "bridges" of unity, shining examples in labor and production, always leading in various movements, contributing to maintaining stability in security and order and promoting socio-economic development in the commune.

Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ea Rốk Commune

Recognizing that many households in the village had limited legal knowledge, Mr. Y Sum went "door to door," encouraging people to fully participate in legal education and awareness sessions.

In particular, to curb child marriage and consanguineous marriage, Mr. Y Sum chose a gentle approach, patiently using real-life stories to persuade the villagers.

Through persistent effort, families in Ea Rok village (village 8) gradually changed their mindset, no longer allowing their children to marry within their extended family, and cases of children dropping out of school to marry early also decreased. As a result, the number of poor households in Ea Rok village (village 8) is steadily declining.

In addition to disseminating information and encouraging people to gradually eliminate outdated customs and focus on economic development, influential figures in Ea Rốk commune also prioritize mobilizing people to participate in building new rural areas and maintaining local security and order.

Mr. Lu Truong Phong (of the Thai ethnic group), a respected figure in Hamlet 5, Ia Jloi, Ea Rok Commune, along with the Party branch, self-governing body, the Fatherland Front, and other organizations, propagated the "State and people working together" policy to help people understand it. To gain people's trust, understanding, and cooperation, Mr. Phong voluntarily moved his family's fence to widen the road. Neighboring households followed suit. For those who still had doubts or hesitations, he patiently analyzed and explained until they understood the policy of widening the road according to the new rural development criteria. As a result, the villagers unanimously agreed and voluntarily donated land, moved fences, and cut down trees to widen the road...

Mr. Lu Truong Phong (far left), a respected figure in Hamlet 5, Ia Jloi, Ea Rok Commune, discusses methods for mobilizing villagers to donate land for the expansion of rural roads.

To help influential individuals play a more active role in the community, Ea Rốk commune has promptly implemented policies to provide material and spiritual support and encouragement. Annually, the local authorities organize visits, gift-giving, and meetings to honor exemplary influential individuals. They also arrange for these individuals to attend legal training courses, study tours, and experience-sharing programs, thereby fostering solidarity and motivating influential individuals to contribute to the community.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202512/nhung-nhip-cau-o-ea-rok-93d1929/