HÒA BÌNH — Sùng Y Múa serves as an influential health officer at the Hang Kia Commune Medical Centre located in Mai Châu District, within the picturesque mountainous northern province of Hòa Bình, where she has emerged as a leading figure in transforming the mindsets of the Mông youth in the area.
With her vibrant energy and well-rounded professional knowledge, Múa actively seeks innovative methods to enhance her community while diligently preserving the rich Mông culture, ultimately contributing to an uplifted and healthier society.
In August 2005, upon completing her medical training, Múa made the heartfelt decision to return to her village, taking on the crucial role of a health officer in Hang Kia Commune, where she has worked relentlessly for the past 20 years.
Over these years, she has engaged tirelessly with local authorities in Hang Kia and Pà Cò communes to educate the Mông community about disease prevention, while actively encouraging Mông women to utilize the health centre for important medical check-ups, assistance during childbirth, and comprehensive maternal and child healthcare.
Múa has forged partnerships with organizations and respected village elders to assemble teams to visit every household in the commune, ensuring that crucial information regarding Party policies and State laws reaches every resident.
This community-centric approach has significantly contributed to the gradual reduction of critical issues such as drug abuse, child marriage, and deeply rooted superstitions affecting the Mông community in Hang Kia Commune.
Múa’s unwavering commitment extends beyond health; she has dedicated herself to supporting children facing hardships within notable families, such as the Khà A Váu and Vàng Y Dua families. Acknowledging the unique challenges presented by these and similar families, she has taken it upon herself to provide direct support to their children, Khà Y Bào and Khà A Lềnh.
For the past six years, Múa has consistently visited these children, bringing essential supplies like rice, clothing, and school materials to ensure they lead healthy lives and continue their education.
Múa’s passion for cultural heritage preservation is evident through her establishment of three dance teams, where she personally leads lessons in traditional Mông dances and songs, aiming to instill a sense of pride and cultural identity in the younger generation.
Vàng A Páo, Vice Chairman of the Hang Kia Commune People’s Committee, emphasized Múa’s exceptional dedication to improving the health of the community, stating that her efforts have been pivotal in promoting awareness about health, as well as in encouraging the community to abandon outdated customs such as child marriage and drug use.
Most residents, with a particular emphasis on Mông girls and women, now actively seek services at the health centre for medical check-ups, treatments, and childbirth services, he noted.
Vision for a prosperous and modern Mông Village
Múa is fervently determined to break the cycle of poverty affecting Mông women by addressing high rates of school dropouts, early marriages, and other customs that are increasingly viewed as ‘backward’.
Since the mid-1990s, Hang Kia has witnessed transformational changes, heralded by the influx of domestic and international tourists eager to immerse themselves in the unique lives and traditions of the Mông community.
Having grown up in Hang Kia, Múa appreciates the significance of preserving the community’s cultural beauty that is diminishing, which includes engaging in activities like building traditional Mông houses, cooking Mông cuisine, participating in folk games, brocade weaving, and wax painting.
This realization fueled a bold initiative within Múa to foster economic growth within her community by harnessing these cultural strengths.
She has become a pioneer for Mông women through the establishment of a homestay business, utilizing the enchanting landscapes of Hang Kia – Pà Cò in Mai Châu District. This successful model, known as Homestay Y Múa in Hang Kia Commune, has inspired other locals to partake in this thriving venture.
In addition to her tourism efforts, Múa is also in the process of creating a cultural space designed to preserve both the traditional and contemporary values of the Mông people, aiming to provide visitors with a holistic experience of the region’s rich heritage.
Currently, six homestays are in operation in Hang Kia, catering to the increasing needs of tourists, with visitor numbers steadily rising each year—this surge is vital for sustaining and invigorating traditional crafts that are intrinsic to the Mông community.
Vàng A Váu, Party Secretary of Hang Kia Commune, expressed that the Y Múa Homestay has played a significant role in showcasing the beauty of the Mông village of Hang Kia to both domestic and international tourists, thereby nurturing the growth of local community tourism.
Hoàng Đức Minh, Vice Chairman of Mai Châu District’s People’s Committee, pointed out that Hang Kia has now secured its place on the tourism map, gaining recognition for its favorable climate as well as the warmth and hospitality of its residents.
Múa’s relentless efforts have profoundly inspired the entire Mông community, especially the younger generations, to explore innovative avenues to thrive in their homeland while faithfully keeping Mông culture alive, he concluded. — VNS
**Interview with Sùng Y Múa: A Pioneer in Community Health and Cultural Preservation in Hang Kia Commune**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Sùng Y Múa. You’re an inspiring figure in Hang Kia Commune, especially in promoting health and preserving Mông culture. Can you share what motivated you to return to your community after completing your medical training?
**Sùng Y Múa:** Thank you for having me. After my training, I realized that there were many health challenges in my community that needed addressing. My motivation stemmed from a deep desire to serve the Mông people, to educate them, and to improve their access to essential health services. I wanted to use my knowledge to make a tangible difference right here at home.
**Interviewer:** Your efforts have certainly made an impact. Can you tell us more about the initiatives you’ve implemented to encourage Mông women to seek medical care?
**Sùng Y Múa:** Over the years, I’ve engaged with local authorities and village elders to educate our community about the importance of health check-ups and maternal care. We’ve organized household visits to share information about health services, and I’ve encouraged women to utilize the local health centre for childbirth and routine medical care. It’s crucial to change the mindset around healthcare, especially for women, and I believe we are making progress.
**Interviewer:** That’s fantastic to hear. You’ve also been involved in addressing social issues like child marriage and drug abuse. How do you approach these sensitive topics within the community?
**Sùng Y Múa:** It requires a lot of patience and understanding. I work closely with village elders and respected community members to foster discussions around these issues. By highlighting the negative impacts of these customs, we aim to create a collective awareness. When people see the benefits of education and better health practices, they begin to question outdated traditions. I believe change is happening slowly but surely.
**Interviewer:** You’re also known for supporting vulnerable children in your community. What inspired you to focus on this initiative?
**Sùng Y Múa:** Many children in our community face significant hardships. I felt it was important to help those in need, especially children from families that struggle with poverty or other challenges. By providing them with essential supplies and educational materials, I hope to create opportunities for a brighter future. Their education and well-being are crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty.
**Interviewer:** Your commitment to preserving Mông cultural heritage is also commendable. Can you tell us about your dance teams and their significance?
**Sùng Y Múa:** The dance teams are a labor of love for me. Through traditional dances and songs, we aim to instill pride and a sense of identity within our younger generations. It’s important that they appreciate their cultural roots while also engaging with the modern world. These activities not only promote our heritage but also strengthen community bonds.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of Hang Kia Commune?
**Sùng Y Múa:** I envision a vibrant and prosperous community where our cultural heritage coexists with modern developments. My hope is for Mông women to have equal opportunities and access to education and health services, leading to a reduction in early marriages and school dropouts. Transforming Hang Kia into a thriving tourist destination while preserving our traditions is a dream I actively work towards every day.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Sùng Y Múa, for sharing your insights and passion for your community. Your work is truly inspiring, and we wish you continued success in your endeavors.
**Sùng Y Múa:** Thank you! It’s a collective effort, and I’m grateful for the support from my community and partners. Together, we can achieve great things.
