The journey of changing the lives of people at Huu San commune, Ha Giang province by Khuoi Luon bridge

Over the past three years, VSF has regularly contacted Huu San commune to update people's lives after the establishment of the bridge.

Exchanging with VSF, commune leaders happily said: since the construction of Khuoi Luon bridge, people have been able to travel and trade easily, which has improved the income of villagers. Many households have bought their own means of transportation to take their children to school every day. Students in the village have been enthusiastic about going to class, leading to the reduction of school dropouts. Teachers can come to the school more easily without crossing streams or being in danger when the rainy seasons come.

Thanks to the new bridge, more groups of volunteers come to the village to give gifts and visit the locals; as well as donate to build and repair classrooms and houses for students and people in Khuoi Luon village.

Talking about the positive changes which the bridge brings, some elder adults in the village such as Mr Lo Minh Xuan, Mr Lo Dung Si, Mr Ban Van Loc, Mr Chuong Van Toan excitedly shared: “Before the construction of the bridge, transportation in the village depended on a temporary wooden and bamboo bridge across the Than stream. Heavy rain swept away the temporary bridge; in order to go to the other side of the bank, we had to cross the stream by the piece of wood. There was even a day when the water drifted the temporary bridge away, parents had to riskily carry their children across the stream every time they came home from school, or hold the teacher's hands to cross the stream to go to the schools, etc. At that time I was afraid of losing my children, grandchildren, and teachers, but fortunately, we were all safe. It has been 3 years since our dream came true, Khuoi Luon bridge was built, we are really happy. The concrete road to the village is also supported by the government, which makes the transportation much more easily.”

Since the handover of the bridge, the leaders of the Communist Party Committee of Huu San Commune have always instructed the villagers to protect, maintain, and clear the gully to ensure the flow. Currently, the bridge has been regularly maintained and effectively used since its construction.

VSF is very happy that Khuoi Luon bridge has contributed to changing the facade of the commune and improving the quality of life of the locals. This is a great motivation for us to continue supporting civil construction towards community improvement!