Bridgestone Vietnam builds bridge for children in mountainous district

Lang Chanh is a mountainous district in the west-northwest of Thanh Hoa. Its majority of residents are Thai and Muong ethnic groups.

In isolated villages like Chieng Nang, the infrastructure remains poor.

Nearly 100 families in Len village in Chieng Nang built a bamboo bridge across a stream for their children to go to school.

The bridge has also served as the main road to transport agricultural products which is the only source of income for local ethnic minorities.

Lang Len Bridge will bring a safe route to school for students in Chieng Nang province. Photo by Bridgestone Vietnam

However, the path is dangerous when floods come.

There have been times when huge floods swept away the bamboo bridge, forcing the children to miss school and villagers to stop production activities.

Representatives of Bridgestone Vietnam and local government cut ribbon to welcome the new bridge. Photo by Bridgestone Vietnam

“I could make rafts to cross the stream when the flooding is low, but not when it is high,” said Linh Dan, a 3rd grader in Chieng Nang.

Bridgestone Vietnam said it has built Lang Len bridge to provide a safe and joyful path for children.

The project realized its commitment to contributing to a society in which access and dignity are guaranteed to everyone.

“I am very happy about the new bridge. I will not have to miss school anymore,” Dan said on the inauguration day.

Chieng Nang villagers perform a traditional dance on the new bridge. Photo by Bridgestone Vietnam

In addition to Bridgestone Vietnam, the bridge’s construction also has the support of An Phuc Thinh Company, and E-XPRO Advertising Company in co-financing.

The local authorities helped to install more electric grids in the bridge area to light it up at night. Many locals also donated pieces of land to widen the road surface around the bridge.

Local people cross the bridge together as part of the ceremony. Photo by Bridgestone Vietnam

Dinh Thi Huong, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Giao An Commune, expressed her excitement on the inauguration day because this is the anticipation of the locals.

“The bridge offers the villagers several benefits by ensuring the safety of people and goods as they pass through, particularly during the rainy season,” said Huong.

Besides, the bridge helps households to reduce expenses and promotes stability in daily life.

“We are proud that we contribute to the empowerment of local society, and ease of community life through this bridge,” said Naoki Inutsuka, General Director of Bridgestone Vietnam.

“We would like to keep on contributing through our product, service, and CSR activities, to be a sustainable solution partner for Vietnamese society and customers,” he added.

 

 

Bridgestone Vietnam builds bridge for children in mountainous district

Bridgestone Vietnam builds bridge for children in mountainous district