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| Tran Quoc Tuan – secretary to Chuong Duong precinct’s youth union, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. |
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Residents live along the riverside and on floating houses and carelessly throw household garbage into the river and sandbank.
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ATheir mindlessness has been causing dire pollution problems and obstructed the river’s flow. A wide-range area has been effected dangerously with rubbish and injection needles posing severe threats to the environment.
Mrs. Tuyet, an employee of the Hanoi Environment Enterprise said, “Everyday, we collect 14 tonnes of garbage within Chuong Duong precinct field. Rubbish occupies nearly all of Chuong Duong Do and Bach Dang street”.
For this reason, a volunteer youth force of Chuong Duong precinct with the mission of “Protecting our home river” has been established under Quoc Tuan’s leadership for 3 years.
Once a week, Tuan’s group cleans up and gathers solid waste at the riverside. They repeatedly remind people not to leave litter and to keep the dike green.
According to Tuan, “Being intrepidly calm and patient is our group’s motto.” In his opinion, communication is the most significant way to save his “home river”.
He shared, “It’s essential to help others gradually change their mind-set and therefore, they will protect the environment themselves. Then all the efforts might come into substantial results in the long-term. Collecting garbage is just a provisional measure.”
Whenever his member fail to mobilise locals, Tuan persists, “Tomorrow we will come back and convince them again until they get it.”
The 28 year old youth union secretary Tran Quoc Tuan has been commended and rewarded three times for his excellent efforts to protect the environment.
Now, Tuan hopes to see a fruitful outcome, evidenced by a greener and fresher riverside. The self-awareness of households has been improved and the dike and small hill are a comfortable place for leisure activities.
P.V