The only person in the Western Nghe An region to win the Ly Tu Trong award

(Baonghean) - During the months of March, Nguyen Van Thao - Secretary of the Youth Union of Mon Son commune (Con Cuong - Nghe An) is always busy with work but also has a lot of joy, including the Ly Tu Trong award presented by the Central Youth Union. Thao is the only person in the Western region of Nghe An to receive this award.

“Light up the country road”

In 2005, when Thao began taking on the role of a Youth Union officer, life and work were still very busy, and at times it seemed very difficult to overcome. The most difficult thing was the situation of young people leaving their villages to work far away, and many Youth Union branches did not have enough people to organize activities.

Then the two villages at the headwaters of Khe Khang (Khe Bung and Co Phat) were both remote and isolated, and most of the members were illiterate, making gathering and guiding them even more difficult. "My work started with difficulties, there were nights when I had to stay up all night to find solutions" - Thao shared. Less than 3 years later, Thao was honored to join the Party, and her responsibilities were also heavier.

First, Nguyen Van Thao listened deeply and grasped the thoughts and aspirations of the union members and young people. First, Thao realized that local youth lacked healthy and useful playgrounds, so they often gathered at restaurants. That was the source of social evils such as drinking, gambling, especially drug abuse, which was threatening the peace of the villages.

Nguyen Van Thao (2nd from left) and village sanitation workers.

In her role, Thao has mobilized the youth union branches and members to repair volleyball and soccer fields to meet the needs of physical education and sports and health training. With a volleyball court, gatherings at bars and drinking have decreased, and security and order have been increasingly ensured.

The new rural construction movement has brought about a new look, with straight concrete roads making travel easier and more convenient. However, at night, accidents often occur, affecting health and lives. Thao proposed the initiative “Lighting up the countryside roads”, mobilizing funds to install electric lighting along the roads.

The initiative was supported by many people and was quickly implemented, first in Khe Lo, Cang village, Xieng village, then Thai Son, Nam Son, Tan Son, Cua Rao... People in all villages contributed money to buy light bulbs, assigned maintenance tasks and paid electricity bills. The number of collisions leading to accidents at night has decreased significantly, and theft has also been limited to a minimum.

Founder of "Young Family" Club

Identifying that gathering union members and young people into the union organization and contributing to the construction of the homeland is a regular and important task, Nguyen Van Thao always struggles to find a way. Not counting union members and young people who are working far away, union members and young people who are married are also reluctant to participate in activities.

Understanding this psychology, Thao wanted to gather them together to promote their enthusiasm and valuable experiences in labor production, economic development and social relations. Nguyen Van Thao proposed to build a model of "Young Family Club", aiming to gather young people who have families into the Youth Union, to participate in activities and contribute ideas to make the Union stronger. Thao's initiative was quickly piloted in Lang Yen village.

Organizing the pilot construction of the “Young Family” Club in Yen Village, Nguyen Van Thao wanted to “sow” a “seed” on barren land to see its ability to adapt and grow. Initially, only 7-8 members participated but they were determined not to give up because of difficulties. That is what Nguyen Van Thao learned during his years as a Youth Union officer.

The “Young Family” Club is an organization under the management of the Commune Youth Union, with the function of gathering families of union-young age on a voluntary basis, helping, learning and sharing experiences in economic development and family building. The club meets once a month, and each month it usually chooses a certain topic for its activities.

The content and topics of the activities are related to daily life such as: Experience in raising breeding pigs, techniques for caring for raw sugarcane, measures for implementing family planning, raising awareness of the law... The club has its own fund, used to encourage, visit, help each other when facing difficulties and hardships and help each other develop the economy.

Mr. Ha Van Ky - Club Chairman said: "After more than 7 years of establishment, the "Young Family" Club of Lang Yen village has become really strong with a fund of up to tens of millions of VND. Not only have the member families escaped poverty, but their children have also become well-off, built spacious houses and purchased modern conveniences."

Talking to us, Comrade Vi Thi Phuong Thao - Secretary of Con Cuong District Youth Union affirmed: "Nguyen Van Thao is an active, dynamic Youth Union Secretary with many initiatives, loved and recognized by Youth Union members, youth, Party committees, local authorities and people, deserving the Ly Tu Trong award presented by the Central Youth Union".

Cong Kien