"Young leaders" in Tay Son

(Baonghean) - From the center of Tay Son commune (Ky Son district), following the commune's Youth Union Secretary Mua Ba Chu, we followed a winding mountain road to Lu Thanh village - home to 50 households of the Mong ethnic minority...

Mua Ba Chu, born in 1981, completed his high school education and enlisted in the military, serving on Mat Island for three years. After completing his military service, Chu's friends each chose their own path to build a career. Some went south to work as laborers, while others sought opportunities in larger cities. Chu, however, decided from the outset to return to his village and hometown, the place where he was born and raised, where life was still difficult and challenging. Upon returning home, Chu actively participated in the Youth Union. Since 2013, Mua Ba Chu has been elected as the Secretary of the Youth Union in his commune. To enhance his knowledge and better serve his work, Chu enrolled in a part-time law program at university.

Mùa Bá Chư (right) provides technical guidance on livestock farming to union members.

As a Youth Union official, Mùa Bá Chư had the opportunity to interact with many publications to improve his skills. He dedicated time to researching farm economic development models to apply and guide the villagers. Chư had long recognized the potential for farm economic development in Lữ Thành. For the Hmong people, "showing" is more important than "listening," so Chư decided he had to act so that the villagers could see and follow. He fenced off a large area along the Huồi Nhăn stream, borrowed capital to buy cows, black pigs, and black chickens for farming. Then he mobilized the villagers, especially the Youth Union members, to fence off and develop farms. Following Chư's example, Mùa Bá Là and Mùa Nỏ Súa also invested in developing their herds of cows, pigs, and chickens, and fenced off the Huồi Nhăn stream to raise ducks. Mùa Nỏ Súa alone has more than 10 cows, 20 pigs, and hundreds of chickens, earning 70-80 million dong annually. Following Chu's advice, most of the youth union members built effective farm models, generating high incomes and lifting people out of poverty. Seeing the young people enthusiastically engaging in farm-based economic activities and bringing in substantial income, the people of Lu Thanh rushed to the Huoi Nhan stream to establish livestock farms. To date, there are approximately 40 livestock farms of varying sizes along the Huoi Nhan stream owned by people in Lu Thanh. Farming has significantly improved the lives of the Mong people in Lu Thanh, eliminating the struggle for daily sustenance. Farm development has reduced the area of ​​slash-and-burn agriculture, thus protecting the forest resources and maintaining a clean living environment. No one explicitly stated it, but we noticed that the people are all grateful to Mua Ba Chu, because he was the one who boldly took the lead!

On weekends, Mùa Bá Chư often takes the opportunity to visit the farms of the Youth Union members to continue exchanging and disseminating techniques and experiences in livestock farming. He goes to each house in the village to visit the elderly, encourage the young to work hard, and motivate the children to study diligently. He then warns everyone not to listen to the incitement of evil people to migrate to Laos, and to be wary of those who come to spread illegal religious doctrines.

Speaking about Chu, Comrade Xa Thi Xy, Secretary of the Ky Son District Youth Union, affirmed: “Mua Ba Chu is a dynamic, active, and enthusiastic commune Youth Union Secretary, and can be considered a ‘young leader’ in Tay Son. He is loved and trusted by the Youth Union members and the people of Tay Son. Whenever we implement projects in Tay Son, we always believe they will succeed because Chu has the ability to organize, gather, and attract Youth Union members!”

Text and photos:Tuong Anh