Right from dawn, Mr. Vi Van Can (born in 1990) was busy taking a small boat to the middle of Nam Non river. For many days, he has become a "reluctant boat driver" when taking on the task of transporting people and students across the river.
"Today, there are many parents taking their children to school to attend the opening ceremony, I have to take trips continuously to be on time. I just hope to ensure the safety of the children, Mr. Can shared.
The flood at the end of July washed away the Xop Mat suspension bridge - the only bridge connecting the four villages of Doa, Minh Tien, Minh Thanh and Chinh Puong with the commune center. Traffic was cut off, the lives of more than 2,200 people in the area fell into a very difficult situation.
Mr. La Duc May (born in 1986, Doa village) added: "After crossing the river, students and parents have to travel nearly 7 km to get to school. The road has many landslides and slippery sections. On rainy days, mud makes travel extremely dangerous, especially for children. Many sections are only possible on foot".
That concern is also a concern of Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh - Principal of Luong Minh Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities. Mr. Thanh said that the school currently has 486 students, 41 staff, teachers and employees.
Of which, about 160 students from outlying and upper-level villages such as La, Xop Mat, Minh Phuong, Voi, and 2 schools in Ca Moong and Xop Chao, all have to depend on temporary boats to go to school.
Every temporary boat trip across the river is often very crowded with students, right on the river, posing many potential risks. Teachers and students just hope to soon have a bridge to go to school more safely," said Mr. Thanh.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Luong Minh commune, using boats to transport people and students to the river is a temporary solution, because if they do not use boats, people have to travel by road, traveling hundreds of kilometers to get to the commune center. In the near future, the People's Committee of the commune will build a new dirt road for people to travel. In the long term, the commune has also submitted documents to the Provincial People's Committee to develop a plan to build a new bridge for people.
Despite difficult travel conditions, teachers and students of Luong Minh Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities still entered the new school year with a determined spirit.
Last school year, the school achieved many outstanding achievements, and was awarded a certificate of excellent labor collective credit by the People's Committee of Nghe An province. Those achievements are a source of encouragement for teachers and students to continue to strive, overcome difficulties, and maintain the quality of teaching and learning.
On the opening day, the image of temporary boats carrying students across the Nam Non River, muddy steps on the landslide road but the eyes still brightly joyful to go to school... became a vivid testament to the studious spirit of children in the mountainous areas.
