(VOVworld) – Giang A Trang is head of the Fatherland Front of Mao Sao Phin hamlet in Lao Cai province. The young man has been enthusiastic in helping local people give up their backward practices and become better off.

Giang A Trang (right)

Mao Sao Phin, a H’Mong ethnic hamlet, is extremely disadvantaged with many backward practices. Trang has realized that these long-time practices cause wastefulness and that he should do something about it. However, how to preserve the local cultural identity and at the same time engage the people in building a healthy lifestyle has been a difficult task. Trang says: “It was very difficult to persuade the people to give up the practices they had been pursuing for many generations. We kept trying and finally made it through effective communication.”

Trang said he often works out plans for the whole year with education being the focal point. He added that it was crucial to convince hamlet chiefs and patriarchs, who have a significant say in the community, to take part in communication programs. Thanks to Trang’s painstaking efforts, many families have realized what the problem was. Trang recalls one of his memories: “The mother of a man in the hamlet died and he wanted to hold a funeral that would last up to 8 days. He has many children. I tried to persuade his family to shorten the funeral despite their strong initial protest. They finally agreed to hold the funeral over only 4 days.”

The people of Mao Sao Phin have gradually changed their thinking and practices. The incidents of child marriage, lavish celebrations, and the habit of keeping dead relatives in the house have reduced greatly. People’s material and spiritual lives have been raised. Trang A Phu, Vice President of the Lao Cai Provincial Fatherland Front, says: “Giang A Trang is an energetic and enthusiastic officer. Thanks to him, Mao Sao Phin has become a good model for other residential areas to follow. Members of the Fatherland Fronts play an important role in the work of communication and education.”