Border guard 'fathers' in Nghe An

Keng Du Border Guard Station (Ky Son) adopted two children, Lo Van Dieu and Xeo Van Diep. Photo: Thanh Chung

Wings of Dreams

For the past half month, two boys in extremely pitiful circumstances, both born in 2008, in the westernmost and poorest commune of Ky Son district, Lo Van Dieu and Xeo Van Diep, have had new "fathers".

Lo Van Dieu's biological father died early, Dieu's mother remarried and went to work far away with her new husband, Dieu lived with her "grandfather" (her mother's second husband's father) in Huoi Phuon 1 village. Xeo Van Diep's father and mother went to work far away and have been missing for a long time, Diep lived with her old and weak grandmother in Huoi Le village.

Compared to other children in the commune, Dieu and Diep are considered examples of overcoming difficulties and studying well. Lo Van Dieu won the Encouragement Prize for excellent students in grade 5 in Mathematics at the district level. After completing primary school, Dieu and Diep both wanted to continue their studies but their family circumstances did not allow it. Knowing the circumstances of the two children, officers and soldiers of Keng Du Border Guard Station, teachers and officers in the commune went to their homes to learn about their family circumstances, announced the policy of adopting children, and asked for the wishes of the children and their families... On September 5, Dieu and Diep officially became the adopted children of Keng Du Border Guard Station and were brought to the station to be raised.

Soldiers of Keng Du Border Guard Station monitor and tutor "2 children" in their studies. Photo: Thanh Chung

At Keng Du Border Guard Station, Dieu and Diep had a real family. The officers and soldiers of the Station took great care of them, from meals, sleep to study guidance.

Lo Van Dieu happily said: “In the new house, my fathers love me very much. Here, I eat well, dress well and learn many good things.” The process of eating, living and doing activities with my fathers has helped my two children “change their skin”, know how to clean themselves, wash their own clothes and fold their blankets neatly like soldiers...

The foster father of the Border Guard of Keng Du Station discusses the learning situation of his two children with the teacher at school. Photo: Thanh Chung

Thanks to the “Adopted child of the border guard station” model, Gia Ba Thong’s life has changed in a different, more positive and better direction. At My Ly Border Guard Station, in addition to being well taken care of, Gia Ba Thong was also introduced to computers by the officers and soldiers.

At My Ly Border Guard Station, in addition to Thong, there is another child adopted, that is Kha Ngoc Chuyen, 10 years old, from Xop Tu village, studying in grade 5A at My Ly 1 Primary School. Currently, according to the family's wishes, as well as the geographical distance from home to school, Chuyen lives with his parents. Every month, the Station supports the child with 1 million VND in food; every week, officers and teachers are sent 3 times to help with his studies.

Strengthening solidarity in border areas

The fathers of soldiers at Nam Can Border Post always take good care of their adopted children. Photo: Dao Tho

Information from the Nghe An Border Guard Command: Before the "Adopted Children of Border Guard Station" model, the Nghe An Border Guard effectively implemented the "Helping Children Go to School" Program. Specifically, the Command, departments, offices, and units have done a good job of propagating, receiving, and sponsoring 106 students. Of which, 20 children are from the border areas with the three provinces of Hua Phan, Bo Ly Kham Xay, and Xieng Khouang (Laos) with difficult circumstances and no one to rely on. Helping them have better living and studying conditions has been recognized and highly appreciated by local authorities, sectors, and levels.

With the model of "Adopted children of border guard stations", the Border Guard Command, the Political Department, and the Border Guard Command of Nghe An have given instructions and implemented it responsibly. In addition to the border guard stations directly adopting children, the heads of the command, departments, offices, and units that do not directly raise children can also register to adopt children by donating 200,000 VND/child/month... Accordingly, each head of the command will sponsor at least 1 child; departments and offices of the command will sponsor at least 2 children. For example, in Bac Ly and My Ly communes, in addition to 2 adopted children, there are 6 students sponsored by the leaders of the Command, 2 students sponsored by officers and soldiers of My Ly Station. Each sponsored child will receive at least 500,000 VND/month. This activity will be maintained until the children finish school.

Every day, foster fathers take their children to school safely and carefully. Photo: Dao Tho

Mr. Lo May Man - Secretary of the Party Committee of Keng Du commune affirmed: "Along with activities to help people in border areas develop the economy, ensure political and social security, the activities of adopting children, sponsoring students, and encouraging learning of the Border Guard Station will contribute to improving people's knowledge, strengthening the solidarity and closeness between officers, soldiers and ethnic people in border areas, building a stronger national border defense than ever before in the present and the future".