Youth Union members take part in paving rural roads. Photo: laichau.gov.vn

(VOVworld) – With their enthusiasm and creativity, young people have played a key role in implementating the national new rural development program in Lai Chau province. VOV’s Khac Kien reports….

San Thang was one of the first two communes in Lai Chau to complete the national new rural development program, thanks to the determination and consensus of the locals and the contribution of young people. Hundreds of young people went door to door to get people involved in new rural development. They spearheaded every single activity from paving roads and upgrading the local infrastructure to teaching the locals how to apply new economic development models. Do Van Thanh is Secretary of San Thang commune’s Youth Union’s Secretary: "We’ve encouraged local Youth Union members to get involved in socio-economic development activities and movements to upgrade the local infrastructure and irrigation  system in order to complete the national new rural development program’s criteria."

One of Lai Chau’s poorest districts, Sin Ho now has 21 communes that have completed 9 out of the program’s 19 criteria. Local authorities have sent Youth Union members to the most disadvantaged communes to boost new rural development there. During 4 years of implementing the program, young people have helped local ethnic people pave roads, develop their economies, and reduce poverty. Dong Minh Thang is Deputy Secretary of Sin Ho district’s Youth Union: "In addition to repairing rural roads, we’ve encouraged Youth Union members to build houses for poor families as part the government’s program 167. In the future, we’ll continue to upgrade rural infrastructure."

The Lai Chau provincial Youth Union has also organized annual free medical check-ups for ethnic people living in remote and border areas. Nguyen Dinh Toan is Deputy Secretary of the Lai Chau provincial Youth Union: "The national new rural development program has been a success in several communes of Binh Lu, San Thang, and Muong Than thanks to remarkable contributions by the local Youth Union members. To welcome the upcoming National Party Congresses at all levels, each Youth Union member is encouraged to continue contributing to new rural development."