(VOVworld) – Hua Nhan is the poorest commune of Bac Yen, one of the poorest districts in Vietnam. Hua Nhan commune has 16 hamlets of the Mong and 1 hamlet of the Kho Mu. More than half of its 4,000 population is poor. Despite hardships in life, almost all Mong families have sent their children to school.

The 15km lane from the highway to the commune seems to be much longer for any one who comes here for the first time. It’s bumpy and dusty on sunny days and flooded in deep mud in the rain. Motorbike is the only possible transport on this lane.

Farming on this mountain area is much harder. Hua Nhan people have to sow maize seeds on every hole on the rocky mountain. Maize is the main food here because only maize can grow on abrupt mountain slopes which are always eroded by the rain. Some households raise a few goats, pigs, and chickens. Because of various hardships, Mong people in Hua Nhan have paid less attention to study. The adults have to work to earn a living and the children grow up as naturally as wild trees in the forest. When the children are grown-up, they follow their parents to work on terraced fields without the need to know the alphabets. Giang A Lenh, Secretary of Hua Nhan commune’s party cell, said."In the past, the Mong people did not allow their daughters to study. They worried that girls went to school but still hardly found a job later. They also did not know how to work on terraced fields. But now both boys and girls go to school."

Currently, with support from the Vietnam Paper Corporation, the commune has built a secondary school with dormitory for 200 students. If they study further, they have to go to high schools in the district and provincial center. Nursery and primary schools in the commune are poorly equipped. The teachers and students have overcome difficulties to maintain their classes. Do Thi Lan, Head of Hua Nhan nursery school, said teachers and the local administration have to persuade every family to send their children to school. "It’s very difficult for small children to go to school. The teachers have to persuade their parents and help them take the children to school. The way to school is far and tough."

In recent years, with the local administration and teachers’ patient communications, the Mong in Hua Nhan has changed their awareness of studying. Lenh again:"The number of children to go school has been higher than in previous years because of the state’s support and the parents’ sense of responsibility. We told them that they study not to become cadres. When they have knowledge, they can work more effectively."

Mong children have to help their patents in farm work (photo: giaoducthoidai.vn)

The children cheerfully sing and play in a new classroom. Their teachers are also happy. Community support has been an encouragement for the Mong people and teachers to engage in their work in remote areas.