Students of Kim Dong Primary School, Vinh Linh District, convey the message "Play football, not bombs and mines" - Photo: TL
Hai Lam Primary and Secondary School, Hai Lang District, is located on land that was once a fierce battlefield. Although the war has long since ended, the dangers it left behind are still in the ground. After each rainy season, some bombs, mines, and explosives rise up, threatening the safety of everyone. Not long ago, during recess, some students suddenly discovered explosives behind the restroom area. They immediately informed their teachers and contacted the hotline of the Provincial Mine Action Center. Thanks to that, the risk of bomb and mine accidents at the school was prevented.
Recounting the incident, Ms. Pham Thi Tuyet Nhung, Head of the Hai Lam Primary and Secondary School Team, said that the students' actions were one of the vivid examples of the results achieved in the propaganda work on mine and explosive prevention organized by the school, the team, the RENEW Project and the Youth Union and Teams at all levels.
In particular, the football festival integrated with communication on mine and explosive prevention with the theme “Play football, not mine” is a special highlight. Participating in the program, students can immerse themselves in the exciting atmosphere of the king sport and have the opportunity to learn a lot of knowledge and skills on mine and explosive prevention.
“Every time we hear the announcement of a football festival incorporating bomb and mine prevention communication, students are excited a week in advance. Coming to the festival, they not only get to learn and play, but also get to take home gifts,” Ms. Nhung said.
In Vinh Linh district, students of Kim Dong Primary School are also eagerly looking forward to these meaningful football festivals. That is the reason why the school's team is more actively cooperating with Project RENEW and the higher-level teams and unions to make the festival an annual activity. Most recently, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, the school's students were able to live in the joyful atmosphere of the festival with a very new form of organization.
In the role of soldiers, some students had the opportunity to talk about the brutality of war, the consequences of bombs, mines, and explosives, and prevention and avoidance skills. The activity ended with joyful experiences revolving around a round ball. Ms. Ho Xuan Huyen, Head of the Kim Dong Primary School Youth Union, said: “Although this activity took a lot of time and effort to prepare and organize, we did not mind because the students really enjoyed it. After the activity, some students became information officers and propagandists on mine accident prevention.”
Not only the two schools mentioned above, football festivals integrating communication on mine and explosive hazard prevention have been widely organized in manyeducational institutions throughout the province. This spread is the crystallization of the efforts of Project RENEW, educational institutions and the Youth Union and Team levels over the past 8 years. Previously, although propaganda activities on mine and explosive hazard prevention in the province have been increasingly in-depth, Project RENEW staff and employees wanted to organize more attractive activities with stronger impacts on people, especially children and teenagers.
Realizing that football is a “special language” that can connect people regardless of country, ethnicity, gender, or circumstances, Project RENEW staff have linked this sport with mine accident prevention propaganda activities. This idea has received positive attention.
Through the Irish Embassy in Vietnam, the Irish Government soon decided to fund the activity, considering it an important part of the education project on mine and explosive hazard prevention at Project RENEW. On that basis, project staff quickly started to build a program framework; provide training and guidance on organizing a football festival integrating mine and explosive hazard prevention communication; allocate funds...
In 2017, the first football festival integrating communication on mine and explosive prevention was organized. The main activities were aimed at children such as: General introduction about the purpose and meaning of football and its connection to protecting oneself from the risk of mine and explosive accidents; getting acquainted and exercising with the ball; fun football exchanges, no competition between men and women; summarizing and recording feedback...
Seeing positive signs, Project RENEW and schools, youth union and team levels continue to develop football festivals integrating communication on mine and explosive prevention in a constantly innovative and creative direction...
Up to now, Project RENEW and the Youth Union, Teams and schools have organized over 250 football festivals integrating communication on mine and explosive prevention with nearly 60,000 students participating. No longer a single program, the festival has become a vibrant community activity. During the festival, students have immersed themselves in the joyful competitive atmosphere of the king of sports; equipped with safe living skills against the risk of mines and unexploded ordnance; promoted participation and increased cohesion... Every student is deeply aware of the importance of saying no to playing with mines and explosives. That is what makes those who join hands to build the festival very happy.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phu, officer in charge of the education program on mine and explosive hazard prevention of Project RENEW said: “Currently, schools and youth union and team levels can proactively organize festivals in their localities and units. However, we will continue to support other units. Hopefully the message of “playing football, not playing with mines” will spread more and more strongly.”
Tay Long
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/tre-em-quang-tri-choi-bong-da-khong-choi-bom-min-194069.htm
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