Youth volunteer imprints in the countryside

In the early days of autumn, Phu Hai village (Phu Mo commune) is busier than usual. On the red dirt road leading to the village, cool streams of water are flowing, dispelling the worries of water shortage that the local people have had for many months.

Phu Hai has 75 households, 100% of whom are Ba Na ethnic people, most of whom are poor or near-poor. The prolonged drought has caused wells to dry up, forcing people to carry cans of water from far away for daily use. Daily life is difficult, production is stagnant.

Faced with that situation, Phu Mo Commune Youth Union mobilized more than 40 members, youth volunteers and local people to deploy the project of installing pipelines to bring water to meet the daily needs and irrigation for households. The pipeline system is more than 4 km long, starting from the upstream, following the land slope to bring water to the village.

Phu Mo Commune Youth Union supports Phu Hai villagers in installing water pipes. Photo: Provided by the Commune Youth Union

On construction days, groups of young people showed up early in the morning. Some dug ditches, carried pipes, some sawed pipes, installed joints, etc. Each meter of pipe that was placed down was soaked with sweat, mixed with laughter encouraging each other to overcome difficulties. “The weather was erratic, there were days when the pipes were just placed down and the soil washed away, and we had to start over. However, no one was discouraged. With clean water, all the hard work is worth it. Looking at the water flowing to each household, all the fatigue disappeared. This is not just a water project, but a project of humanity and trust. For local youth, this activity is a lesson about sharing and responsibility to the community,” said Nguyen Van Man, Secretary of the Phu Mo Commune Youth Union.

On the day the project was completed, Phu Hai felt like it was having a festival. The sound of water in the tank brought joy to the whole village. Children rushed out to play in the water, and adults smiled brightly. “The villagers are very happy because from now on they don’t have to go far to fetch water anymore. Water coming home helps people live a stable life and feel secure in production,” Mr. So Minh Ly, Head of Phu Hai village, emotionally said.

In early September, prolonged rain and storms combined with dam discharge caused many rice fields in Quynh Ngoc 2 field (Ea Na commune) to be flooded, facing the risk of total loss.

Faced with the emergency, the Youth Union of Ea Na commune coordinated with the commune police to quickly go to the fields to help people harvest rice and promptly transport it to a dry place.

In the flooded fields, the image of volunteers in green shirts wading through the fields, harvesting rice, and crossing deep water to transport rice home has left many emotions for the people. Although it was still drizzling and the mud was slippery, the union members and youths did not stop working, harvesting and carrying, everyone tried their best with the hope of reducing damage to the people here.

Youth Union members of Ea Na commune support people in harvesting rice at Quynh Ngoc 2 field.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thu's family had more than 6 hectares of rice that had been flooded for many days. While he was still wondering what to do, he received support from the commune's youth union members. Thanks to that, most of the rice was harvested in time. Mr. Thu shared: "The young people worked very enthusiastically, regardless of the sun or rain. I was both happy and grateful when everyone helped me harvest each clump of flooded rice. Without the support of the youth force, my family's crop this year would have suffered heavy losses."

Similarly, more than 2.5 hectares of rice belonging to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thoan's family were also destroyed after heavy rain. When the forces joined hands to support her, she was moved: "I am happy not only because the rice was saved, but also because my people are cared for and shared. The presence of local departments and organizations in difficult times makes us feel warm and gives us more faith in life."

Not only supporting the rice harvest, the members also help people transport rice to the drying area, level the embankments to limit water from entering the fields. Many young people after a day of work, although their clothes are covered in mud, still smile, because they feel happy to have done meaningful work.

Mr. Y Siong Knul, Secretary of the Ea Na Commune Youth Union, said: “As soon as we received information about the flood situation, the Commune Youth Union mobilized more than 20 members and youths to help people harvest rice. This not only helps reduce crop damage, but also contributes to strengthening solidarity between the youth and the people; affirming that the youth do not stand aside from the difficulties of the people, but are ready to be present, joining hands with the community to overcome the disaster.”

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202509/dau-an-thanh-nien-tinh-nguyen-tren-nhung-mien-que-66217fa/