Vibrant Green Summer

(Baonghean) - For many years, the "Green Summer" volunteer movement has become a highlight in youth activities in various regions. Within this movement, the youth of the border region of Que Phong have been dynamic and enthusiastic in creating practical activities, contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality, leaving a beautiful mark of a generation of young people rich in sharing and responsibility towards the community.

This year, Que Phong District was chosen by the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee and the Central Enterprise Bloc Youth Union as the launching point for the province-wide "Green Summer" program. This is both an advantage and a pressure for the Que Phong District Youth Union's organizational work. "The great advantage is being the launching point for the province-wide Green Summer program, so the locality benefits from many programs and projects investing in infrastructure, contributing to the strengthening of the new rural development goals in poor communes. But at the same time, it's also a pressure, requiring every Youth Union member and young person in the district to uphold the spirit of pioneering, exemplary conduct, and enthusiasm, creating momentum for the Green Summer journey to spread," shared Nguyen Minh Thuan, Secretary of the Que Phong District Youth Union.

Members of the Vinh University Youth Union participated in volunteer work in Tien Phong commune (Que Phong district).

That pressure and motivation created a memorable summer of youth volunteerism in the border region. Throughout the areas of Tien Phong, Chau Kim, Hanh Dich, Tri Le, Chau Thon… the atmosphere of youth building their homeland was vibrant everywhere. There was the spirit of 150 youth union members from Quang Phong commune pouring concrete for a volleyball court in Cao village; the youth of Tri Le commune helping people with irrigation; activities to show gratitude and help families of wounded soldiers and martyrs repair their roofs and renovate their houses; planting trees in Dong Van commune… The motto “Each youth union branch undertakes one youth project or task” was thoroughly implemented, spreading an atmosphere of eager contribution and construction. Traveling through the Que region during the summer days, the heat of the weather did not seem to diminish the enthusiasm of the youth. Sweat-drenched green shirts, faded bucket hats under the scorching sun… yet still radiant with smiles, songs, and melodies. The joy of rebuilding the homeland intensified in everyone's hearts when, at the beginning of July, 186 youth union members and students from universities and colleges in the province joined forces. The green color of the youth union members brightened the villages.

One of the highlights of this year's youth projects in Que Phong is the concreting of nearly 2 km of rural and inter-village roads in Phuong Tien village, Tien Phong commune. Although not a remote or isolated area, for many years, the people of Phuong Tien have faced many difficulties in transportation and trade due to the severely degraded inter-village road. In mid-July, joy came to the 94 households of Phuong Tien village when the youth union members enthusiastically began the project of renovating, leveling, and concreting the road. Some plowed with hoes, others shoveled sand and mixed cement, and still others quickly leveled the ground… all were bustling like a construction site, where the youth union members became true workers.

Among the workers on the construction site, many were female students from Vinh University. Their fair skin and slender hands, usually accustomed to pens, notebooks, and electronic devices, now showed proficiency and agility in seemingly unfamiliar manual tasks. Most noticeable were the twin sisters Tran Thi Thu Hang and Tran Thi Thu Hao (students from Vinh University), the site's lifesavers. Pretty and… identical twins, Hang and Hao easily won people's hearts with their cheerful, innocent personalities and enthusiasm for their work.

Sharing their experience of participating in the Green Summer program and visiting Phuong Tien village, sisters Hang and Hao sincerely confided: “This is the first year the two of us have participated in volunteer activities, so we were quite unfamiliar with many things, especially going to a completely unfamiliar mountainous area. To be honest, our parents at home were very worried, but after persuading us and seeing our daughters' desire to experience and contribute, they gradually relented.” Through the Green Summer program, Hang and Hao not only gained experience about the people, customs, and traditions of the western part of Nghe An province, but more importantly, they acquired valuable life lessons and insights, helping them understand the meaning and value of youth in community life.

Through the "Green Summer" program, beyond just practical tasks, the youth union members have become a connecting link, sharing their thoughts and feelings with the simple villagers, instilling faith in a younger generation rich in knowledge and awareness. It is known that when the plan to build and pave the road with concrete was implemented, some households in Phuong Tien village disagreed because, according to the construction drawings, some sections would have to be cleared to pass through their homes.

Mr. Bui Van Ky, the owner of a 120m2 garden plot slated for demolition, said: “Initially, my family disagreed with the road construction plan, especially since our land already had many mature fruit trees. But then, with encouragement and explanation from the authorities and organizations, we gradually understood that it was for the common good. Furthermore, we felt sorry for the young volunteers, who weren't from our village but were still so enthusiastic in helping the villagers.” Now, Mr. Ky and the people of Phuong Tien have become the most active participants in the road construction. They cook meals for the volunteers, prepare herbal tea to cool them down, and spread out the cleanest blankets and mats for them… These small gestures, filled with the warmth of community spirit, have ignited a meaningful and humane spirit in this green summer campaign.

What made this year's "Green Summer" campaign particularly memorable was the thorough survey conducted by the Que Phong District Youth Union before its launch. Instead of spreading resources widely across all areas and organizing traditional activities, this year, the Standing Committee of the District Youth Union focused on the theme of youth accompanying the construction of new rural areas and completing projects to celebrate the Party Congress at all levels. Therefore, the mark of the youth's energy in this border region is evident in every specific task, making a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the homeland.

Nguyen Minh Thuan, Secretary of the Que Phong District Youth Union, affirmed: “Every additional concrete road, every irrigation canal installed, or every additional roof built to provide warmth and security… further strengthens the faith and expectations of the youth union members and young people in the responsibility and role of the future generation in building their homeland. In the coming time, we will continue to uphold the pioneering spirit of youth in all fields, so that the youthful spirit will be affirmed at all times.”

Phuong Chi