Vietnamese Field Hospitals Teach Farming in South Sudan

Young staff at Level-2 Field Hospital No. 3 held the 10th Civil-Military Co-operation to instruct farming skills to local people in Bentiu.

To celebrate the 91st founding anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, young staff at Level-2 Field Hospital No. 3 held the 10th Civil-Military Co-operation to instruct farming skills to local people in Bentiu, South Sudan, on March 26.

Members of the Youth Union, which account for half of the hospital's staff, are an enthusiast and proactive group in all activities within and outside the unit.

To hold the activity, leaders and staff of the hospital surveyed the venue in advance, examine the soil quality and weather. They chose fertile land, which is near water and convenient for the locals to visit and take care of the vegetable regularly.

The youth union members brought a variety of vegetables to guide local people to plant.

Vietnam has a long-standing history of agriculture. With such heritage and experience of cultivation in the 400m2 garden in the hospital, the youth union members brought a variety of vegetables with good growth ability and high returns, such as cabbage and spinach, to guide local people to plant.

The staff instructed the local people on each step of the planting process, from hoeing the soil, sowing the seeds, and fertilizing to making a net to protect newly grown seeds from the harsh sun and insects.

They also provided local people with farming knowledge, such as improving the soil to ensure enough moisture and fertility for the following crops and how to water the seeds.

Local people are instructed to water the plant.

The event was included in a long-term program to accompany the local people to overcome the difficult natural conditions, bringing a Vietnamese vegetable growing model to the neighborhood. The youth union gifted residents seeds and farm tools to expand their fields.

According to the leader of the residents' farming team, the Nuer community in Bentiu appreciates the enthusiastic help of Vietnamese friends.

"The knowledge that you taught us is invaluable. We wish Vietnamese friends will accompany and support us for a long time for the good future for the two countries, Vietnam and South Sudan," he said.

The locals expressed their gratefulness after learning useful farming techniques and enjoying cakes and milk tea made by the field hospital's delegation.

The locals expressed their gratefulness and happiness after learning useful farming techniques and enjoying cakes and milk tea made by the field hospital's delegation.

Before the activity, not many locals had access to these vegetable growing techniques. Only a few households in the neighborhood grow vegetables for sale, but their selection is limited.

Following the Bentiu farming project, the field hospital members plant 20 fruit trees taken from the hospital garden in Bentui field, hoping to bring freshness and greenness to the region.

Although the hospital has almost completed its working term under United Nations Mission in South Sudan, it still upholds the spirit of Vietnamese blue beret soldiers, trying to support local people to make Bentiu a greener and more beautiful region.

Vietnamese Peacekeepers in South Sudan Enjoy Cultural Exchange Vietnamese peacekeepers in South Sudan treated their base to Made-in-Vietnam hospitality.

Vietnam Medical Staffs in South Sudan Awarded UN peacekeeping medal Vietnam's Level 2 field hospital No. 3 in South Sudan was awarded the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Medal for its dedication and outstanding contributions.

Vietnamese Peacemakers Perform Successful Surgery on UN Staff Member Vietnamese Blue Berets have successfully held surgeries for four United Nations officials in South Sudan, saving their lives.