(VOVworld) – Mong ethnic Trang Seo Pao of Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province, has been pursuing a dream of helping people in his ảea enjoy the benefits of the new rural development program. Pao was named one of the 10 most outstanding young people in Vietnam in 2014. Nguyen Hien reports:

Muddy roads connecting hamlets in Hoang Thu Pho commune have been paved, largely thanks to Pao, vice-chairman of the communal People’s Committee. Pao said this was one of the promises he made to himself. Because his parents could not afford his education, Pao didn’t attend school until he was 11. After high school Pao went to study at the Hanoi University of Architecture. After graduation, he registered for a pilot program which sent 600 young intellectuals to be vice chairs of people’s committees in 62 poor communes nationwide. Pao said his desire was to return to his home and help the locals escape poverty. The first thing he did as vice-chairman of the communal People’s Committee was to pave all rural roads to ease transportation as a precondition for economic improvements. Chau Seo Chua of Hoang Thu Pho commune says: “Roads have been paved, making our transportation much easier. We used to carry goods on foot but now manpower has been replaced by vehicles.”

It was difficult for Pao to win people’s trust and support in the beginning because he lacked experience in state management. He and other young volunteers contributed their labor and materials to pave a muddy road section and completed the work in just two days. Seeing is believing. Other locals followed suit. Thanks to their involvement, 9 of the 12 inter-communal roads have been paved. Pao says: “I had to persuade the people by piloting in some communes and contributing the materials. My experience shows that we should be aware of what the people want because their desire will create confidence.”

Pao has also helped the locals build 200 toilets and 220 breeding facilities. Ly A Sung, Chairman of Hoang Thu Pho commune’s People’s Committee, says: “Pao has been vice-chair of the People’s Committee for 3 years. Our rural development, particularly the road system, has improved considerably. This year we are determined to achieve criteria 19 of the new rural development program, which is to ensure security, stability, and social order.”