Nurturing border friendship

Stepping onto the stage of the program "Exchange of political work and young military officers of Vietnam - Laos: Loyalty and belief" in October 2024 in Moc Chau district, Son La province, Nang Tun Pheng Kham Si, an 11th grade student at Xi Bun Hau High School, Sop Bau district, Hua Phan province (Laos) smiled brightly when meeting the Vietnamese border soldiers again.

Her eyes sparkled with joy as she held a handmade elephant - a typical cultural symbol of Laos, which she brought from her homeland as a gift for Lieutenant General Nguyen Anh Tuan, Political Commissar of the Vietnam Border Guard, who represents her "border guard fathers". For Nang Tun Pheng Kham Si, this was not only a gift but also a heart and gratitude for the green-shirted soldiers of the Vietnamese border guards. Born into a poor family, Nang Tun Pheng Kham Si's opportunity to study was very fragile, but the persistent presence and love of her "border guard fathers" helped her nurture her dream of studying and cherish the hope for a bright future.

Nang Tun Pheng Kham Si presents a gift to Lieutenant General Nguyen Anh Tuan, Political Commissar of the Vietnam Border Guard. (Screenshot: Phan Anh)

After 8 years of being supported by the Vietnamese Border Guard, from a fragile elementary school girl, Nang Tun Pheng Kham Si has now become a graceful and strong high school student. Standing in front of hundreds of spectators, she was moved to express her sincere thanks and happiness when the Vietnamese soldiers encouraged her, helped her go to school every day and nurtured her aspirations for the future.

Holding the gift in his hand, Lieutenant General Nguyen Anh Tuan shared: "I was both surprised and moved when I received the gift from a student in the border area of ​​Laos that the Vietnamese border guards helped. We will continue to help many other children go to school, creating more opportunities for the young generation in the border area to have a bright future."

Take my steps to school

Nang Tun Pheng Kham Si's story is one of thousands of stories about Lao children who have received help from the Vietnamese Border Guard. Another case is Thao Phe, a 14-year-old boy in Dan village, Hua Phan province (Laos). His father died early, his mother married far away, he lived with his grandmother and had to drop out of school to help his family. The Vietnamese Border Guard supported Thao Phe with monthly tuition fees and helped his family raise chickens and grow vegetables to improve their lives.

On the day he returned to school in his white uniform, Thao Phe smiled brightly and said to the soldiers in broken but proud Vietnamese: "Thank you, Vietnamese border guards. I love Vietnam."

Thao Phe's grandmother, who takes care of him every day, was also moved and said: "I will raise chickens and ducks as you told me. I will try my best to let Thao Phe study well."

The story of Ho Thi Ngin, a girl from La Lay A Soi village, Sa Muoi district, Sa La Van province (Laos), is also a vivid example of the journey "Helping children go to school" in the Vietnam - Laos border area. Once facing the risk of having to drop out of school because her family was poor, she was adopted by the La Lay International Border Guard Station in Quang Tri province, helping her have the opportunity to go to school and nurture her future dreams. Every month, the Border Guard Station officers send Ngin's family a financial support for studying, helping her have enough books and school supplies.

Lieutenant Ho Van Thu, La Lay Border Guard Station, gives a bicycle to adopted daughter Ho Thi Ngin. (Photo: Thoi Dai)

Entering secondary school, Ngin’s journey to school became increasingly longer and more difficult, especially on rainy days. Knowing this, the “border fathers” gave him a new bicycle, helping him travel more conveniently. They took care of the bike, cleaning, oiling, and tightening the screws carefully every time they visited Ngin’s house. In 2021, the bike broke down completely, so the Border Guard Station bought a new Asama bike to continue accompanying Ngin on his journey to school.

The bicycle not only takes Ngin to school but also serves as a bridge to take him to Hanoi in 2022 to participate in the "Storytelling Memorabilia" contest organized by Thoi Dai Magazine in collaboration with the Lao Embassy in Vietnam, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association, and the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association in 2022. Ngin confided: "I am proud to be sponsored by my fathers and uncles. Going to Hanoi and visiting Uncle Ho's Mausoleum is something I will never forget. I will try to study hard to not let my uncles down."

Lighting up the frontier with young shoots

Major General Tran Van Bung, Chief of Political Affairs of the Border Guard, said at the exchange program that since 2015, more than 1,000 children in the Vietnam - Laos border area have received help from the program "Helping children go to school". The program not only provides financial support but also the loving companionship and dedicated care of border guards - the second fathers of children in the border area. The border guards also coordinate with local authorities and schools to build a safe and stable learning environment for the children. In particular, the help does not stop at material but also serves as a bridge connecting the two peoples of Vietnam and Laos.

The program “Helping children go to school” together with the initiative “Adopted children of border guards” have become solid bridges to help children in difficult circumstances in the border areas rise up. Through each step of the children, the Vietnam - Laos friendship is further nurtured and becomes stronger. Vietnamese border guards are building a young generation that understands and preserves the sacred friendship between the two countries every day.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/uom-mam-huu-nghi-bien-cuong-206668.html