Supporting Lao students in Nghe An to overcome difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic
(Baonghean.vn) - This time of year in previous years was when Lao students were eager to return home after a year of studying in Vietnam. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they were unable to return home to reunite with their families. Understanding the disadvantages of these students, over the past time, the Party Committee, government, socio-political organizations of Nghe An province and school leaders have had many programs to support them.
Eager to learn new things
These days, in a room on the 5th floor of Vinh University Dormitory, Malain Phaeng, a first-year Laotian student majoring in Nursing at the Institute of Biochemical and Environmental Technology, is completing her final exams online. If it weren’t for the Covid-19 pandemic, Malain Phaeng would have been able to return to her beloved hometown of Xieng Khouang in the next few days.
Malain Phaeng shared: “When I first heard that I could not return home due to the impact of the epidemic, I was very sad. Partly because it had been a long time since I had been able to visit my family, and partly because I was studying on a self-funded basis, so my family had to cover all my expenses. Therefore, I understood that my parents would have a harder time when they had to cover my living expenses while I was here..."
 |
| Lao students at Vinh University Dormitory. Photo: Thanh Quynh |
However, after being informed and learning more, Malain Phaeng realized that staying was very necessary to ensure epidemic prevention and control for both Nghe An and Laos. Phaeng also understood that not only international students were facing difficulties, but many people were also struggling, especially doctors and frontline workers who had to work day and night to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, in the coming time, he and his friends will plan to borrow books and documents from the school library to study and learn more.
Student Ninh Thamixai (from Xieng Khouang province) studying at Vinh University also believes that the coming time will be an opportunity for them to improve their Vietnamese language skills. In particular, with the companionship of students in the school's international volunteer team, they will learn more about customs, family relationships, clans; regional behavioral culture and places of Nghe An in particular, and Vietnam in general.
 |
| Provincial Youth Union presents gifts to support Lao students at Vinh University. Photo: Thanh Quynh |
At Vinh Medical University, many Lao students have left a good impression on the people of Nghe An with their spirit of volunteering for the community. Although they cannot participate in the fight against the epidemic in their homeland, many Lao students have volunteered to write applications to go to the front line to serve the anti-epidemic work. Not only volunteering to participate in the fight against the epidemic in Nghe An, they also volunteered to go to Ha Tinh province when this locality began to have the first cases of Covid-19 infection.
Yengxoualee - a second-year student of Preventive Medicine, one of the first Lao students of Vinh Medical University to volunteer to write a letter, shared: "As a medical student, I want to share the hardship when seeing the medical team, doctors and functional forces working hard in these extremely harsh weather conditions."
Even though I am not on the road yet, that spirit of dedication to the community has spread to many young generations, especially students facing the difficult effects of the pandemic.
 |
| Yengxoualee - 2nd year student of Preventive Medicine, Vinh Medical University. Photo: Provided by Vinh Medical University |
Many practical support programs
Joining hands to support Lao students to overcome difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Secretary of the Youth Union of Vinh University - Thieu Dinh Phong shared that the complicated developments of the epidemic in both Vietnam and Laos have caused many obstacles for Lao students in the process of returning home and returning to study. Therefore, the school has promoted and mobilized students to stay in the dormitory and strictly follow the epidemic prevention principles to ensure safety for themselves, their homeland and not interrupt their study program. Currently, the whole school has 306 Lao students staying in the school's dormitory.
Understanding the difficulties of Lao students, the school has recently called on social resources to support rice and necessities for them. The school canteen has also increased the supply of essential items to make it convenient for Lao students to live in the dormitory.
Recently, after the school’s appeal, a number of businesses have agreed to donate 200 gifts to the students. Students with difficult circumstances will be given priority support. Along with that, the school’s volunteer student team is always ready to share and help Lao students during their study and living here.
 |
| Many meaningful gifts were given to Lao students studying at universities and colleges in Nghe An province. Photo: Nghe An Provincial Youth Union |
For Vinh Medical University, where nearly 130 Lao students are staying in Nghe An because they cannot return home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the school has also had many activities to support them. At the same time, the school's teaching staff always strives to accompany them to help them keep up with the program to complete their exams well.
Comrade Le Van Luong - Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union shared that in Nghe An province, there are currently over 750 Lao students studying at universities and colleges. Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, most of them cannot return to their home country and stay in Nghe An in school dormitories.
Through many action programs, with the support of businesses and organizations, the Provincial Youth Union and schools have presented thousands of gifts including necessities and epidemic prevention support equipment such as masks and disinfectants to children.
 |
| Many Lao students from difficult circumstances, who have excelled in their studies and participated in many community activities, have been encouraged, commended and rewarded by schools and mass organizations in Nghe An. Photo: Thanh Quynh |
At the same time, we will promote and mobilize Lao students to strictly comply with the principles of epidemic prevention and control in the coming time. These activities have significantly contributed to strengthening solidarity between the youth of the two countries, affirming the role and responsibility of the youth in building the special traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos.