Creating enriching playgrounds for children.

(Baonghean) - For many years, villages and hamlets in Hung Nguyen and Dien Chau districts have built up vibrant and high-quality summer activities. This is thanks to the role of the government, organizations, and associations, as well as the great support of parents in creating beneficial and safe playgrounds for children.

The whole neighborhood participates in summer activities.

For a long time, Ms. Tran Thi Ty (Yen Quang hamlet, Dien Ngoc commune, Dien Chau district) has played a prominent role in supporting and encouraging summer activities and the Youth Union's ceremonial competitions in the hamlet. Although usually very busy with work, whenever the Youth Union begins its summer activities, it's also the time when Ms. Ty and the other mothers and sisters in Yen Quang hamlet embark on a "special holiday" with enthusiasm and joy.

Ms. Tran Thi Ty said: "Every year, when it's time for the Scout ceremony competition, we temporarily postpone our daily work to support and serve the children from start to finish." Every night, while the children practice, the mothers and sisters also follow along, observing, giving feedback, and supporting the Youth Union. Many women even enthusiastically participate in marching, turning left and right, and practicing the synchronized movements with the children so they can teach their own children and grandchildren at home.

Officials from the Hung Nguyen District Youth Union discuss summer activities with leaders of Hung Tan commune (Hung Nguyen district). Photo: Hoai Thu

Ms. Tran Thi Ty added: “The women in the hamlet also organized fundraising from their children and directly took care of the costumes and cooked meals for the children throughout the days of the Scout Ceremony Competition. Every year, the Scout Ceremony Competition has become a festival for all the people of Dien Ngoc commune. Everyone participates, from the elderly to the children, with the sound of footsteps and the lively drumming of the Scouts echoing night after night.”

“The whole village was buzzing with people calling out to each other to watch the children practice. The men, uncles, and young people were discussing plans for the camp and sports competitions. There were even instances of women complaining about why their children and grandchildren weren't selected for the ceremonial team or the performing arts team,” shared Cao Duc Nguyen, Secretary of the Dien Ngoc Commune Youth Union.

When asked why mothers encourage their children to participate in summer activities, and why they themselves actively participate, the common answer we received from local people was, firstly, that it's fun and brings joy to the neighborhood. Secondly, they believe these activities are truly beneficial, helping children not only stay away from social vices but also develop skills, become more confident in front of crowds, and participate in community activities.

Recognizing these positive results, many households in Yen Quang hamlet have donated 5-7 million VND, and in some years, the amount sent home by children in the hamlet, including those working far away, reached nearly 100 million VND. Ms. Ty said: "After transparent spending, we set up a savings fund for the following year and provide loans to needy families with academically gifted children to start businesses."

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Van, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Ngoc commune (Dien Chau district), affirmed: "The enthusiastic support of the people in the summer activities of young people has helped to build and develop grassroots movements, strengthen solidarity, closeness, and sharing of neighborly spirit, contributing to building increasingly civilized and united villages."

Localities in Hung Nguyen district organize summer activities for children and teenagers at night. (Photo provided by the local organization)

The Chairman of the commune also serves as the Chairman of the Youth Council.

In Hung Tan commune (Hung Nguyen district), not only do the people participate in summer activities with the youth, but the Party committee and the government also truly "roll up their sleeves." Proof of this is the fact that the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune also assumes the position of Chairman of the Youth Council of the commune. According to Mr. Nguyen Trong Thuc, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hung Tan commune, the Chairman of the People's Committee assuming the "position" of Chairman of the Youth Council, although an honorary chairman, has become a "tradition" maintained for many years in the locality.

In the hamlets, the hamlet head assumes the role of Head of the Steering Committee for this work. Accordingly, every year in July, when students have finished school, the People's Committee of Hung Tan commune establishes a steering committee, chaired by the Chairman of the People's Committee, to organize summer activities and Scout ceremonies for young people in the area. The steering committee assigns specific tasks to various organizations and individuals to support and mobilize young people, members of the Youth Union, children, and residents of the hamlets to actively participate in the activities of the Youth Union and Scouts.

In this effort, the leading role was played by the Youth Union, Women's Association, Veterans Association, and the team of village secretaries and leaders… Thanks to this, Hung Tan commune has mobilized the entire political system, helping the youth movement in the commune to always develop strongly, leading the locality in this work for many years.

The youth team of Dien Ngoc commune (Dien Chau district) competes in the 2016 Scout ceremony. Photo provided by the local organization.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Thuc stated: “The Party Committee and the commune government not only lead and directly participate in summer activities for young people, but also pay attention to implementing Youth Union activities during the summer, directing and supporting other activities throughout the year, especially during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year). Because we understand that improving the quality of Youth Union and Young Pioneer activities is also about creating a source of cadres and building future movements for the locality.”

"In the short term, gathering young people to participate in activities during the summer break will help them avoid social vices, prevent accidents and injuries, and simultaneously supplement their life skills." With this perspective, for many years, Hung Tan commune has not experienced any instances of students dropping out of school, social vices, accidents, or drownings among children during the summer break.

Thanks to the attention and involvement of the Party Committee and the government, along with the active participation of the Youth Union's cadres, the percentage of commune-level units in Hung Nguyen district that organized summer activities and Scout ritual competitions effectively increased from 30% in 2012 to 100% in 2016.

Preparing for the 2017 summer activities and Scout ceremony competition, the Secretary of the Hung Nguyen District Youth Union, Cao Anh Duc, stated: “The District Youth Union has completed the skills training for commune-level Youth Union officials; and handed over the organization of summer activities to the localities. In particular, the activities at the commune and village levels will focus on implementing summer activities for young people such as: Scout ceremony competitions; activities commemorating the War Invalids and Martyrs Day on July 27th; training and warnings on preventing accidents, injuries, and drowning among young people… so that Youth Union members, young people, and students participating in activities in the locality can experience meaningful, beneficial, and safe summers of childhood.”

Hoai Thu