Concerns shared with Keng Du

(Baonghean) - Implementing the provincial People's Committee's program to assist poor communes in the western region, a delegation from the Department of Transport recently visited and presented gifts to poor students; provided essential equipment to three kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools; the People's Committee of Keng Du commune, Ky Son district, at the beginning of the school year; and supported poor households in Keng Du commune, Ky Son district... This is a regular activity that has been carried out for the past four years, further enhancing the tradition of "mutual support" and strengthening the bonds of friendship between the lowlands and the highlands.

Keng Du is the most remote and isolated border commune in the mountainous Ky Son district. From Muong Xen town, the working group from the Department of Transport had to travel 70 km along a single, slippery mountain road to reach the commune center. This arduous journey is one of the reasons why Keng Du remains poor, with the people's economic life almost entirely self-sufficient, and the poverty rate nearing 90%. How to alleviate poverty in Keng Du is a concern for all levels and sectors. In 2012, the Provincial People's Committee assigned 85 departments, agencies, and units to assist 88 poor communes in the western region. Accordingly, the Department of Transport was assigned to assist Keng Du commune in Ky Son district. Over the past four years, the Department of Transport has carried out practical and effective activities to help Keng Du develop its economy, improve its cultural and spiritual life, and gradually reduce poverty for its people.

Comrade Pham Hong Quang, Deputy Director of the Department of Transport and concurrently Head of the Steering Committee for assisting Keng Du commune, presented breeding goats to poor households.

In 2012, through fundraising and contributions from officials and employees, the Department of Transport provided 10 tons of cement to the People's Committee of the commune for the construction of essential infrastructure; and 2 laptops for administrative work. In 2013 and 2014, it provided 30 bunk beds for secondary school students, donated 50 sets of textbooks for primary school students, and many other learning tools; provided funding and breeding goats (65 animals), 1,000 bamboo shoot seedlings, donated 4 savings accounts worth 20 million VND, and built houses for 3 families in extremely difficult circumstances worth 90 million VND. The Department of Transport provided tables and chairs for meetings at the commune's People's Committee headquarters, and also gave many gifts to policy beneficiary families during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year)... In the first eight months of 2015 alone, the Department of Transport donated 30 gift packages to policy beneficiary families, poor households, and lonely elderly people without support, and 60 sets of warm clothes to students in Keng Du.

The delegation from the Department of Transport presented gifts to students in Keng Du commune.

Comrade Luong Van Ngam, Chairman of the People's Committee of Keng Du commune, said: The Department of Transport has provided "fishing rods" to households by donating seedlings and livestock; guiding them on techniques; and teaching them farming and animal husbandry methods. The poor households receiving support are very happy and confident in the leadership of the Party and the State, thus strengthening their determination to eradicate poverty.

Following those activities, on September 24th, the working group from the Department of Transport visited and presented gifts to the impoverished Keng Du commune: The working group provided 33 breeding goats to 10 households and the Keng Du Border Guard Post; donated school bags and pencil cases to 25 students (each gift worth 200,000 VND); donated a projector and screen system, 3 large cooking pots, 3 bicycles to schools and many candies for students to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival; donated a laptop and some other gifts to the People's Committee of the commune…

During the working trip and gift-giving, the delegation also held a meeting with the Party Committee, the local government, and the Keng Du Border Guard Post, listening to suggestions and proposals regarding how to provide practical and effective support. At the meeting, many issues were discussed: Bamboo shoots, although growing well, lacked a market; similarly, livestock, such as goats, grew quickly and well but could not be sold, and goat farming was not beneficial for crop production… The delegation from the Department of Transport and the Party Committee, the local government, and the leaders of the Keng Du Border Guard Post agreed to shift support to other livestock, specifically breeding cattle. Comrade Pham Hong Quang stated: From now until the end of the year, the department will mobilize contributions and sponsorships to help policy beneficiary families and students in Keng Du commune… In the coming years, the department will study the construction of several transportation projects for the commune.

Text and photos:Thanh Son