Young intellectuals in border regions

Driven by a desire to contribute to the nation, the young intellectual volunteers of the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade, Military Region 3, have been quietly contributing their efforts in the border villages of Quang Ninh province. Not only are they helping the people overcome poverty, but they are also contributing to the dissemination of knowledge, maintaining peace, and fostering "people's support" in the northeastern frontier of the country.

A deep, blood-related bond with our compatriots.

For over a year, Pham Van Duy, a member of the Youth Volunteer Team of Forestry Station 155, has considered Hoanh Mo commune his second home. After graduating from the Vietnam Polytechnic College, Duy chose not to work in the city but volunteered in the border region. “I had read about many successful models implemented by the Youth Volunteer Team in the economic-defense zones. When I learned about the recruitment drive, I immediately applied, hoping to contribute a small part to building my homeland in the northeasternmost part of the country,” Duy confided.

Young intellectuals volunteering at Forestry Station 103 are guiding people in Quang Duc commune, Quang Ninh province, on techniques for caring for saplings.

Setting off with knowledge and youthful enthusiasm, Duy and his teammates only truly understood the hardships and deprivations of the highland communities when they arrived. Most villages were far from urban centers, with narrow, treacherous roads, especially during the rainy season. Many places still retained backward customs, fragmented production, and children dropped out of school early to work and help their families. Faced with these realities, the team members decided to embrace the "four together" principle with the villagers: eating together, living together, working together, and speaking the local language. This was the way to understand, connect with, and effectively help the people. Military Region 3 and the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade organized training courses for the Youth Volunteers on community outreach skills, agricultural and forestry knowledge, local languages ​​and customs, and how to handle situations such as storms, floods, and landslides. Thanks to this, the team members gained more confidence and resilience in their work.

Lighting up the future on the border

The arrival of the Youth Volunteer Team has brought about significant changes in the lives of people in border areas. The story of Voong Van Tri, a Dao ethnic minority boy from Pac Nay village, Quang Duc commune, is a prime example. As the youngest child in a large family facing extreme hardship, Tri had to drop out of school early to help his parents work in the fields. Knowing his situation, the Youth Volunteer Team members of Forestry Unit 103 coordinated with the commune's working group to visit his home, provide books and monthly tuition support, and tutor him every evening. "Thanks to the Youth Volunteer Team members, I was able to go back to school. Every evening they come to my house to teach me how to write and do math. I'm very happy, and my teacher always praises me," Tri shared.

Young intellectuals volunteering at Forestry Station 42 are disseminating legal information to the people of Hai Son commune, Quang Ninh province.

Besides helping children go to school, the youth volunteers also work alongside local people to develop livelihoods and improve their lives. A typical example is Mr. Bui Van Thoan, a Dao ethnic minority member from Hai Son commune. Previously, his family relied mainly on traditional agriculture , lacking technical knowledge, resulting in inefficient production. Thanks to the guidance and training from the Youth Volunteer Team and staff of Forestry Station 42, who provided support with farming and livestock techniques, labor, and seedlings, he boldly developed a 3,500m² farm, earning hundreds of millions of dong annually. Mr. Thoan said emotionally, "When I didn't know how to do it, the young volunteers didn't hesitate to come to my place to teach me. They helped my family overcome the most difficult period. Now, life is more stable, and I can guide other villagers."

From the beginning of 2024 to the present, the Youth Volunteer Teams of the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade have coordinated the implementation of 6 "Effective People Mobilization" models and 4 agricultural-forestry integration models suitable to the actual conditions of each locality. These models not only create sustainable livelihoods for the people but also promote a shift in awareness, raise public awareness, and contribute to maintaining political stability, order, and social security in the border region.

In that journey, the Youth Volunteers not only brought knowledge and skills but also responsibility, love, and sharing. They sowed seeds of hope in every forest and mountainside, in every house and field. Their footprints were imprinted on the red dirt roads, but their faith illuminated an entire border region.

Text and photos: PHAM QUYET

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/quoc-phong-toan-dan/tri-thuc-tre-o-vung-bien-gioi-847075