Bridgestone Vietnam provides bridge to Tien Giang students

 

 

Bridgestone Vietnam provides bridge to Tien Giang students

Bridgestone Vietnam provides 7th bridge to Tien Giang students - edited

Bridgestone Tire Sales Vietnam LLC (Bridgestone Vietnam) inaugurated the new bridge on Aug. 5. The company representative said the project realizes its commitment of contributing to a society in which access and dignity are guaranteed to everyone, which was announced in "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" in March 2022.

Naoki Inutsuka, General Director of Bridgestone Vietnam (L), performs the ritual of crossing the new Ong Lao bridge with co-sponsors, representatives of local authorities and a large number of students and people in Tan Hoa Thanh commune, Tien Giang Province. Photo by Bridgestone Vietnam

Ong Lao Bridge is a part of Bridgestone Vietnam's project "Bridge to Knowledge" starting in 2019. The project is implemented with the desire to provide a safe and joyful way to school for disadvantaged children, and equal access to knowledge for all future generations.

This August, the journey arrived in Tien Giang. On Aug. 5, thousands of students and people in Tan Hoa Thanh Commune, Tan Phuoc District, Tien Giang Province welcomed the bridge in joyful atmosphere.

The old makeshift bridge was built from limited local contributions more than 10 years ago. Until now, the bridge has been degraded and badly damaged, with many places temporarily patched. The beams and piers were already partially damaged, reducing the load of the bridge and making it unsafe for people who need to use it to transport goods and agricultural products.

Crossing the old unstable bridge means facing the dangers of accidents. The old bridge also had no railing, with a narrow and tall design leading to restricted sight. Such bad features caused many accidents.

Despite that, crossing the old bridge has been a part of the daily commute of 245 households of about 1,350 people in Tan Hoa Thanh Commune, including 120 students who use the bridge to reach school.

Ong Lao Bridge provides a joyful path to school for children in disadvantaged areas, thereby giving them equal access to knowledge. Photo by Bridgestone Vietnam

Cao Vo Hoang Dung, an 11th grader at Nguyen Van Tiep High School, said: "Every day, I go to school two times by bicycle, so I have to go back and forth across the bridge four times a day. The old Ong Lao bridge has deteriorated since I was in elementary school. Every time I crossed the old bridge, I would have to get off my bicycle and walk because the old bridge is so high and narrow. The bridge surface is also so shredded and slippery, especially when it rains. I myself witnessed a few small students falling while walking across this bridge."

Dung also shared: "My father is a pineapple trader, so he has to carry pineapples across the bridge every day. Such an old bridge makes his job difficult and dangerous."

Bridgestone Vietnam spokesperson said: "A solid new bridge will be a meaningful gift for all residents in Tan Hoa Thanh. That is also the motivation for Bridgestone Vietnam to bring the bridge-building initiative to Tan Hoa Thanh."

Ong Lao Bridge is 27 meters long, three meters wide, and has a load of two tons.

Huynh Ba Nhat, vice chairman of Tan Hoa Thanh Commune People's Committee, said Ong Lao Bridge made a great contribution to local economic development.

A large number of locals at the inauguration ceremony. Photo by Bridgestone Vietnam

Naoki Inutsuka, general director of Bridgestone Vietnam, said sustainable growth of the society is now recognized as the most important foundation of the business. "Bridgestone Vietnam always acts to gain the trust of future generations in line with our global Bridgestone E8 Commitment. We bring ease of life through our practical activities, empower the vulnerable groups in society, and would like to grow together with Vietnam with passion and love."