Those who hope... to be unemployed

(Baonghean) - For the past 10 years, motorbike taxi drivers and street vendors at Yen Ly intersection in Dien Chau district have silently helped those unfortunate enough to be involved in traffic accidents on National Highway 1A. Recently, they were brought together by the Provincial Red Cross to form a special first aid team. When asked about their wishes, they said, "We only hope… to be unemployed, and that there will be no more serious traffic accidents that leave so much pain for so many families."

Wiping away the sweat after a motorbike taxi ride, Trinh Van Phuong (born in 1972), a member of the special first aid team, as usual, "reported" the traffic situation to his teammates. Phuong said that traffic accidents frequently occur on National Highway 1A, specifically at the Yen Ly intersection.

For over 10 years, whenever they encounter someone in distress, the motorbike taxi drivers and street vendors always pitch in to help, providing first aid and transporting them to the hospital. During that same period, the team members have lost count of how many people they've helped, and they've also experienced many bittersweet moments. Phuong confided: "Whenever we hear news of an accident in the area, we're there regardless of the weather, day or night."

Every time we take an injured person to the emergency room, their clothes are stained red with the victim's blood. Not to mention the countless times we've taken victims to the hospital only to have their families threaten to beat or kill us, mistakenly believing we were the ones who caused the accident. Once the victims' relatives calm down, we just laugh it off and don't blame them.” Many people say we're taking on too much, but the team members have silently continued doing good deeds for all these years without stopping.

Representatives from the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee hand over first-aid kits to the volunteers. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Mr. Le Duc Son, head of the first aid station and also working at the Security Team of Dien Yen Commune Police, Dien Chau District, recalls that more than 10 years ago, the team operated spontaneously with initially 5 members, then gradually increased to 20 people, mainly street vendors, motorbike taxi drivers, and local police officers… Before establishing the station, the team faced many difficulties.

Back in April 2016, while driving alone, he discovered a little girl who had been in an accident. Unable to wait for help, he single-handedly drove, carrying the child in one arm, to the nearest health station. When the station closed, he turned back and took her to Phu Dien Hospital. He personally handled the admission procedures, contacted the family, and even returned to the accident site to retrieve the child's health insurance card.

Apart from Mr. Son, who has a stable income from the commune's security team, all 12 other members of the first aid team work wholeheartedly and receive no allowances whatsoever. Even Mr. Hoang Van Du, a member of the team, willingly used his family's house on the main highway as the first Red Cross first aid station in the province.

The members of the first aid station also faced opposition from their families due to fears of danger and infection while saving lives. However, gradually, witnessing the compassionate actions and selfless spirit of the members in helping others, their families began to understand and support them. Mr. Sinh, a member of the team, shared: "The biggest wish of the team members is to be... unemployed, to have no more traffic accidents, and no more pain left behind."

From a spontaneous initiative, the Red Cross first aid station in Dien Yen commune was officially established on May 17, 2017, with 13 members. Since its establishment, the members have participated in first aid training courses and have been provided with bandages, medicines, and medical equipment, giving them greater peace of mind and enthusiasm to continue their charitable work.

Chu Thanh