Border guards repair houses for local people. (Photo: VOV)

Since she lost her husband, Ho Xao of Ka Ai village, Dan Hoa commune, has had to raise her three school-age children on her own. Her dilapidated wooden house leaked badly during the rainy season, but she lacked the means to repair it.

Border guard soldiers helped her rebuild the house, and now she and her family live in a solid home with a sturdy green metal roof that they no longer fear will collapse or leak.

Border guards provide guidance on farming techniques to people in border areas. (Photo: VOV)

Xao said: “We used to live in an old, makeshift house. The border guards helped us build a new one to shelter us from the sun and rain. Without them, my family would not have this new house. I’m deeply grateful to the border guard, the Party, and the State for supporting my children and me.”

The “Saturday in the village” program has helped many residents of Dan Hoa commune improve their livelihood. Every Saturday, border guards visit households to advise them on wet rice cultivation and livestock farming.

Many meaningful and practical programs are held in border areas. (Photo: VOV)

Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Van Binh, Political Commissar of the Cha Lo International Gate Border Station, says officers and soldiers of his unit work closely with the local authorities, have contributed more than 1,000 work days, and have mobilized political and social organizations, private benefactors, and youth volunteers to help families facing hardships.

“We have mobilized resources and worked with donors to provide breeding cattle to local families. Because of these initiatives, living conditions in border areas have improved,” said Binh.

Border guard units in Quang Tri province have helped local residents build roads, clean up the environment, harvest their crops, repair their houses, and secure clean water.

The program has also given scholarships, clothing, and school supplies to disadvantaged students, taught better economic models to ethnic minority households, and given hundreds of people free health check-ups and medical consultations.

Border guard soldiers present gifts to students in border areas. (Photo: VOV)

Colonel Ngo Van Dung, Deputy Political Commissar of the Quang Tri Border Guard Command, said: “We’ll continue to work with local authorities and relevant agencies to focus more resources on villages, provide hands-on guidance, and share experience and technology to help people develop their livelihoods”

In addition to the “Saturday in the village” program, the Border Guard has coordinated with relevant agencies to implement other initiatives to modernize border areas and make it possible for children to attend school. These efforts have strengthened border defense and made border areas more stable and prosperous.