The vitality of Nu Village

Exactly one year ago, in the early morning of September 10, 2024, a horrific landslide occurred, claiming the lives of 67 people in Lang Nu village, Phuc Khanh commune, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who remain. A full year has passed, and returning to Lang Nu today, the first thing we notice is the powerful resurgence of life.

Livelihoods are blossoming in new lands.

Stepping into the Lang Nu resettlement area today, my first impression was one of peace, with its new, spacious, sturdy, and safe houses. Within the grounds of each house, a rebirth is blossoming from the gardens, the looms, and the efforts of each resident to reclaim their livelihoods.

Lang Nu resettlement area.

Among those fortunate enough to survive the disaster, Mr. Sam Van Bong suffered the greatest pain, having permanently lost five family members: his mother, wife, two children, and his 38-day-old grandchild who hadn't even had a chance to be named yet…

Leaving home early in the morning, Mr. Bóng was fortunate to escape death, but because of this, he always blames himself for not being able to save his loved ones. After the tragedy, he was left with only his son. The past year has been a tearful journey to start a new life after the depths of grief.

In his sturdy stilt house in the Lang Nu resettlement village, Mr. Bong emotionally shared: "The new house is safer, more beautiful, and has become a pillar of support that gives me more motivation to continue living."

Mr. Sam Van Bong and his son have settled into their new home.

With financial support from benefactors, Mr. Bóng bought a small truck for his son to transport goods for hire, and used the remaining money to build a diversified economic model: raising poultry and growing cinnamon on his ancestral land.

"There are times when I feel tired, but just thinking about the future gives me the motivation to keep moving forward," Mr. Bóng shared.

Not far from Mr. Bóng's house is the house of Mr. Hoàng Văn Voi – whose wife and two children perished in last year's landslide. In recent days, Mr. Voi has spent much of his time in the cinnamon plantation, because only hard work can help him ease his grief over the loss of his loved ones.

On an area of ​​nearly 20 hectares, rows of lush green cinnamon trees are growing day by day, promising a bright future. Mr. Voi said that losses are irreplaceable, but hard work has helped him and the people of Nu Village find balance again.

“Every day I spend most of my time in the cinnamon plantation, both tending to the trees and teaching my son how to farm. In just a few more years, when the cinnamon is ready for harvest, our family will have a high and stable income,” Mr. Voi shared, his eyes shining with confidence.

For Mr. Voi, growing cinnamon is not just a livelihood, but also a way to forge a lasting connection with the land and mountains of his homeland. "Cinnamon trees are like people; they become stronger through rain and sunshine. The people in Nu Village are the same; despite suffering, everyone will rise up strongly," he said, gently stroking the newly sprouted cinnamon leaves.

While many people seek a livelihood from the land, the women of Nu Village find a resurgence in their skillful hands.

Having lost her husband in a landslide and struggling to raise two children alone, Hoang Thi Canh sometimes felt like she couldn't stand it anymore. But then, she and other women in similar circumstances found solace in the traditional craft of brocade weaving and embroidery.

Each product woven by skilled hands not only provides a stable income of 5-6 million VND per month, but also serves as a bond connecting these women, helping them support each other to overcome difficulties.

Women in Nu Village earn a stable income from embroidery.

The revival of Nu Village is not only due to the self-effort of the people but also to the joint efforts of all levels of government, sectors, and society as a whole.

Following the decisive directives of the Prime Minister , Phuc Khanh commune has embarked on a challenging task: reclaiming all the buried fields and creating livelihoods for the people to develop a sustainable economy.

Pointing to the site of the landslide from years ago, Ms. Trinh Thi Duyen, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Phuc Khanh commune, said: The local authorities are mobilizing machinery to level the ground for planting Sành orange trees - a crop very suitable for the soil conditions here.

"In just a short time, the former 'dead land' will become fertile fields, promising a prosperous and sustainable life," Ms. Duyen shared.

Local authorities are reclaiming nearly 20 hectares of land to implement a project for planting Sành oranges.

Continue pursuing your dream.

In any disaster, children are always the most deeply affected. The devastating flood left deep and lasting emotional wounds in Nu Village, leaving many orphaned and many others with both physical and psychological scars. But returning to Phuc Khanh today, we saw innocent smiles on the faces of the children.

Teachers and students of Lang Nu village.

Hoang Ngoc Lan is a special case. Lan lost all her family after that fateful night. Living in the embrace of her relatives and under the care of her teachers and friends, the little girl gradually overcame the biggest shock of her life, confidently integrating and playing with her peers.

"My teachers and classmates are so kind to me. I will try my best to study hard so that my parents in the afterlife will be pleased," Lan said, her clear eyes shining with extraordinary determination.

The story of Mong Hoang Thao Ngoc is a miracle of survival. Severely injured in the landslide, Ngoc went through a life-or-death battle, at times seemingly on the verge of losing her chance to go to school. However, now in stable health, the former 7th-grade student harbors a grand dream: to become a doctor.

"When I was injured, the doctors treated me very well. When I grow up, I want to become a doctor so I can help many other people," Ngoc said about her dream.

That noble dream blossomed from the very pain I had experienced, becoming the motivation for me to strive every day on my academic journey.

Mong Hoang Thao Ngoc returned to school to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.

Returning to Nu Village after exactly one year, life has truly revived. The new houses are filled with warm laughter, the gardens by the verandas are covered in lush greenery, and the looms provide a source of livelihood. And most importantly, the children are still going to school every day, continuing to pursue their dreams of a bright future.

Although they know the road ahead is still fraught with difficulties, the pain is unforgettable, and rebuilding a sustainable life will require much time and effort, the most important thing is that the people of Nu Village have rediscovered their faith and strong desire to live. They believe in the support of the community, in the care of the Party and the State, and in their own resilience.

New life has arrived in Nu Village.

A year after the disaster, Nu Village has not succumbed. The villagers are now walking hand in hand, moving forward with unwavering faith that after the storm, the sun will shine again. And on this land, new life is sprouting, stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/suc-song-lang-nu-post881709.html