Con Cuong: Temporary bridge washed away, parents carry children across stream to school

The water level of Si Vang stream rose, the temporary bridge was washed away, cutting off the road to Bach Son village, Cam Lam commune, Con Cuong district (Nghe An). Photo: Huu Vi

Bach Son is the most difficult village in Cam Lam commune, with nearly 90 Thai households living there. There are two ways to get to this area: cross Khe Cam stream, go 3 km further, and pass another mountain to reach the village. The second way is to go around Lang Khe commune, cross Lam river by ferry and go another 4 km to reach Bach Son. No matter which way you go, you have to cross rivers and streams. During flood season, the stream water rises, and the village is isolated for many days.

This area has danger warning signs. Photo: Huu Vi

According to information from the local government, Bach Son village currently has a kindergarten and primary school with a total of nearly 60 students. There are 2 kindergarten teachers and 5 primary school teachers teaching in this area. Teachers and students have to cross the stream to get to class every day.

Teacher Nguyen Van Son, who has many years of teaching experience at Bach Son, said: "When the temporary bridge is washed away, teachers face many difficulties in traveling. When the stream water rises, teachers have to go around Lang Khe commune to get to school. If Lang Khe ferry stops operating for safety during the flood season, going to school will be almost impossible."

During the rainy season, Mr. Can Van Nam has to carry his son on his back to class and on the way home. Photo: Huu Vi

At the beginning of the new school year, secondary school students in Bach Son village have to cross the stream to get to class. To avoid the strong current, they have to follow the stream, looking for the shallowest water to wade across. Lo Van Dung, a 9th grade student, shared: "During the flood season, we almost every year have to wade across the stream to get to class like this." Mr. Can Van Sao, a parent whose child has just entered 6th grade, said that during the flood season, he has to carry his child across the stream every day to go to school and back home.

Without adult help, most students in Bach Son village had to find another shallower stream to get home. Photo: Huu Vi

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Dung - Vice Principal of Cam Lam Secondary School said: In the 2017-2018 school year, Bach Son village has 22 students studying in grades 6 to 9. Currently, they have had the first official week of school. On rainy and flood days, if parents cannot pick up their children in time, the school must assign teachers to take the children home safely. At the same time, the village and hamlet are required to notify students to take a day off from school on rainy and flood days.

In the past, some households in the area together built a temporary bridge across Si Vang stream to collect money. However, during the rainy season, the temporary bridge is often washed away. Traveling for Bach Son villagers is extremely difficult. The locality has repeatedly requested the authorities at all levels to pay attention and build a solid bridge to serve the travel needs of the villagers, but there has been no response.