Soldiers brave the sun and mud to help schools in flooded areas "revive"

On the afternoon of August 8, under the scorching sun after the flood, hundreds of officers and soldiers of Regiment 335 shouldered their backpacks, hoes and shovels, and crossed the bumpy, landslide-ridden roads to reach schools in the flood-prone areas. The first target of the soldiers' journey to help the people was the mud-filled schools, where in just over two weeks they would welcome children back after summer vacation.

Groups of soldiers push mud out of the My Ly Kindergarten campus.

At Muong Tip Kindergarten, before the soldiers arrived, the scene that appeared made everyone feel heartbroken. Mud covered the school yard and every classroom, some places up to the knees. Traces of floodwater were still clearly visible on the walls, and traces were still clearly visible on the ground floor of the two-story building. The school's dining hall had been swept away by the water, leaving only a few dirty plastic chairs in the school yard.

The facilities of My Ly Kindergarten were severely damaged.

Some school items were washed away.

The remaining school supplies of the students.

“After the flood receded, our group of teachers tried to clean up but were almost helpless in the face of the overwhelming workload of the female teachers. When the soldiers arrived, in just one day, the schoolyard was cleaned, the mud was pushed away, the clean water tank was flushed… teacher Pham Thi Hong, the school principal, choked up as she recounted."

In My Ly commune, My Ly 2 Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities suffered the most serious damage, almost “erased”. The facilities were severely damaged, and learning equipment was swept away by the water. The school, once the safest place for children, now only has cracked walls and thick mud stuck to every brick.

Not minding the hardship, the officers and soldiers of Division 324 divided into groups, went to each school, rolled up their sleeves to clean up. Under the hot, mountainous sun after the rain, sweat soaked the soldiers’ backs, mixed with mud stains on their hands and shoes… but no one was discouraged. They knew that behind each square meter cleaned was one step closer to the dream of going to school for the children in the highlands.

Soldiers used high-capacity pumps to clean flooded classrooms.

Soldiers pushed mud and water out of the classrooms.

The soldiers carefully cleaned each remaining desk.

Officers and soldiers discussed a plan to clean the school's clean water tank.

Soldiers cleaned up a warehouse of school supplies that had been submerged in mud.

At Bac Ly 2 Primary School, in just one morning, dozens of soldiers worked together to clean up all the classrooms and schoolyard, and wheeled mud into large piles outside the gate. Large rocks caused by landslides were moved outside.

According to statistics from the Nghe An Department of Education and Training, more than 50 schools in the province were affected by floods, of which 18 were severely flooded. The three communes of Muong Tip, Bac Ly, and My Ly were the most severely damaged. Schools were washed away and damaged, and books and teaching equipment were almost completely lost.

Although there are still many difficulties, with the timely support of the army, each classroom is gradually being cleaned, each schoolyard is being revived. The dedication and responsibility of the army gives hope and strength to hundreds of teachers and students at the border.

“In just a few days, the laughter of children will resound in this schoolyard again,” said Ms. Pham Thi Hong, Principal of Muong Tip Kindergarten, as she watched the school gradually shed its layers of mud, revealing its bright, colorful features, her eyes filled with emotion.

Article and photos: HOA LE

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