Many students have to stay at local people's houses after the Chom Lom bridge pier collapsed.

For over a week now, Ms. Luong Thi Noi in Pieng Khu village has been busy cooking 3 meals a day, not only for her family but also for the 4 other children staying in her house. Ms. Noi said that because the Chom Lom bridge is under repair, for over a week now, most of the students on the left bank of the Lam River have not been able to return home.

When the teachers at Lang Khe Secondary School persuaded her family to let the students stay, the couple was a bit hesitant. But then they thought again, the children, like their own two children, were facing difficulties. They were still young and the house was too far away, so they could not go back and forth during the day, so her family let the four children stay at their house to eat, live and study.

The Chom Lom bridge pier on the right bank of Lam River collapsed, affecting the travel of students on the left bank of Lam River. Photo: Minh Hanh

Lu Manh Ky's family in Pieng Khu village, Lang Khe commune, has had 3 new members this week. They are students from Dong Tien village, one of the villages affected by the recent Chom Lom bridge collapse.With sharing and love, these past few days, Mr. Ky has been busy taking care of the children's meals. To help the children feel less homesick, Mr. Ky often calls them every day so they can talk to their parents and relatives.

“The students are still very young, just entering grade 6, so every day I have to remind them about their homework, daily activities, and meals. I live alone now, soHaving some children in the house makes me happy, having children's voices in the house makes me less sad. Whatever my family has, the children eat like family members" - Mr. Ky shared.

The students were allowed to stay in a house by the locals and helped the homeowner prepare meals. Photo: Minh Hanh

Luong The Dong, from Dong Tien village, who is entering grade 6 this year, is one of three students staying at Ky's house. This is the first time he has been away from his family for such a long time. The first few days, Dong said he cried because he missed home and was worried. But after staying at a "stranger's" house, being encouraged by the teachers, and being treated and cared for by the landlord like his father at home, the students' spirits were lifted again and they were able to study with peace of mind.

Chom Lom Bridge is the road connecting Chom Lom, Dong Tien, Yen Hoa villages of Lang Khe commune to the commune center.The Chom Lom bridge pier failure also prevented more than 500 households and 167 students from crossing the bridge.Although people and students can take another road to get to the commune, it is 5 times further.To ensure food and accommodation for 167 students while waiting for the bridge to be repaired, the commune government coordinated with the school and villages near the school to mobilize local residents to arrange temporary accommodation for the students.

Warm meals shared by people in flood-affected areas. Photo: Minh Hanh

Mr. Kha Van Kien - Deputy Secretary of Lang Khe Commune Party Committee added: "To create the best conditions for students to go to school to keep up with the curriculum, the commune has mobilized households near the children's school such as Boong, Khe Thoi, Pieng Khu villages to adopt the children while waiting for the bridge to be repaired, each household takes in 3-4 children. The commune also regularly visits the residents' houses to encourage the families as well as the students."

Currently, the Chom Lom bridge repair work is still being actively carried out by Con Cuong district to ensure the earliest possible opening of the route for the people.