(VOVworld) – Thay Ky hamlet in Vinh Thanh district was chosen by Can Tho city to pilot building new rural areas. The hamlet, whose population is largely Catholic, has always been recognized as a hamlet that typifies living the Gospel in a secular society.
Leaders of Can Tho city visits vast rice field in Thay Ky hamlet (photo:baocantho.com.vn) |
About 10 years ago, life in Thay Ky was very difficult because the people were dependant on growing rice and raising pigs. Roads and canals were poorly constructed – full of pot-holes and muddy in the rainy season. There were dozens of monkey-bridges crossing Thay Ky hamlet and only one concrete bridge. The hamlet had small, scattered rice fields which produced no more than 6 tons per hectare.
Local people still remember what brought positive changes to their lives. In 2004, local authorities persuaded people to dredge canals to water hundreds of hectares of additional rice fields to increase productivity. The administration and people worked together to build 5 concrete bridges in 2005 and 2006, built rural roads, and grew trees along canal banks in 2009. Rice productivity has increased to around 7.5 tons per ha. Machines are used in a 400-ha field which grows new varieties of high-yield rice. Hoang Van Nhon, Head of Thay Ky hamlet, says the people have benefited from this vast rice field. "When people began large-field rice production, they had to use new production procedures and techniques such as planting in rows, and using fertilizers and machines. Productivity has been stable and farmers now earn high profits.", Nhon said.
People in Thay Ky hamlet have grasped opportunities to improve their lives. They tell each other that there is no better way to escape poverty sustainably and honorably than through education. 80% of local households have children pursuing university and post-graduate education. Thay Ky hamlet has become better-off, mostly due to the younger generation who are well-educated. Nguyen Van Cau, Head of the Thanh Gia Parish Pastoral Council in Thay Ky hamlet, told VOV: "The parish and the administration have always encouraged the children to study because it’s the best way to broaden knowledge and reduce poverty. We have hamlet rules and all villagers have agreed to build a cultural hamlet with improved living conditions."
People have united in production and life to help each other escape poverty and improve the community. Inter-hamlet roads have been expanded and paved. Bamboo houses have been replaced by concrete houses. All households have TVs and motorbikes. Nguyen Van Tieng is President of Thach An township’s Fatherland Front. "The township has 6 hamlets which have achieved the criteria for cultural residential areas. Thay Ky hamlet is a typical example of unity between the administration and the priests."
By investing in education and being open-minded about applying technology to farming and husbandry, many households in Thay Ky hamlet enjoy relatively good living conditions. The hamlet is considered a role model in building rural areas in Can Tho city and the Mekong River Delta.