VietNamNet Bridge – Mr. Ho Van Dieu in Quynh Luu district, the central province of Nghe An, has voluntarily taken students crossing the National Highway 1A for eight years.



Eight years ago, Mr. Dieu quit his job as a guard for a local cooperative, with stable income, to do a free-of-charge job: helping students safely cross the road to and from school.

The Quynh Van B Primary School is situated near National Highway 1A. To go to school, children have to cross the road. Many children were injured and died in traffic accidents on their way to school. Local residents asked the local government to deal with this matter.

One day, an old man appeared to instruct children to cross the road. That man is Mr. Dieu. The man says that he does this free-of-charge task because he witnessed several traffic accidents involving students.

Since 2004, Mr. Dieu has appeared at the roadside with a stick and a whistle to wait for children before and after school. He gathers kids into a small group to lead them cross the road safely.

He has carried out this task for 30 days a month, in the last eight years. When he was busy or ill, he asked others to replace him.

When Mr. Dieu quit his job to do this task, his wife fiercely protested because the family lost a source of income. Many people said that this man had “mental” problems. But he did not care.

At the beginning, he used a twig to control vehicles. In 2009, the local administration gave him a uniform, a cap and a stick. He not only helps students but also old and disabled people. Since then, the local government has also paid him VND500,000 ($25) a month.

Since Mr. Dieu did this task, no more accidents has happened. Local people now show gratitude to him.

In the scorching sun, Mr. Dieu still stands on the roadside to guide kids to cross the road. “This current task is my biggest joy,” he says.

VNE