Students help build bridges to a better life
Students build school for poor children
Volunteer project improving life in poor areas

People travel on the U Bridge which was built nearly 20 years ago by students of the University of Science and Technology. — Photo tienphong.vn

Over the past 20 years, student volunteers of the university have built hundreds of bridges in the province.

From wooden temporary bridges, they now have strong concrete ones helping them in daily life and work.

Le Van Son, former chairman of Long My Commune's People’s Committee, has worked closely with the university’s students since they built the U Bridge in Linh Quy Village, Long My Commune in Giong Trom District.

The U Bridge, which was built in 2003, is more than 70m in length and 2.2m in width. It cost more than VND100 million (US$4,300) from sponsors.

More than 30 students of the university and dozens of local residents helped build the bridge. It was completed after one month.

Son’s house is about several hundred metres from the bridge, so he understands its importance.

Son told the Tiền Phong (Vanguard) newspaper that before the bridge was built, the area was isolated.

Everything changed after the bridge was built, he said.

Thanks to the bridge, goods are transported easily and can be sold at high prices.

“The bridge was a big step in developing the commune,” said Son.

It is still strong after nearly 20 years, and local residents are grateful to the student volunteers.

Son said that at that time, to maintain progress, the students had to work from the morning until 9pm.

“Earlier it was very quiet and boring here, but during that period, the construction site was noisy with voices and smiles of the young people,” said Son.

Witnessing the students’ enthusiasm, local residents also helped bring food for the students.

Family members

Students build a bridge in Ben Tre Province. — Photo tienphong.vn

Bui Van Det, deputy chairman of the Giong Trom District Fatherland Front Committee, has hosted student volunteers in his house for six years.

“I love the students so much because they work hard to help the district. Their love and sincerity makes us miss them,” Dệt told the Tiền Phong (Vanguard) newspaper.

Secretary of the district Youth Union Nguyen Thanh Phụ said when the volunteer campaign ended, all students and local residents cried because they did not want to be far from each other.

“We understand each other and consider each other as our family members,” he said.

Besides the U Bridge, many other bridges were also made by student volunteers of the university including the Thuan Loi Bridge in Hoa Loi Commune, Thanh Phu District.

Nguyen Van Be, lives in Hoa Loi Commune, said thanks to the bridge, local students can travel more safely and easily. They no longer need canoes.

Dao Vu Hoang Nam, secretary of the University of Science and Technology Youth Union, said over the past 20 years, the university’s students had applied their knowledge into real life and helped people in Ben Tre Province.

The volunteer campaign brought students closer to residents in rural areas.

Experiencing the challenge, the students became more mature and made useful contributions to the nation, said Nam.

VNS