Heartwarming "Godmotherly Love" in Giang Vo Ward

NTH is being sponsored by Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hien. *Photo: DH*

"A mission of innovation" with the "Godmother" model

The Women's Union of Giang Vo Ward has determined that supporting disadvantaged children is not only a responsibility but also a core mission of the Women's Union organization in the period of reform. The shift from "ordinary responsibility" to a "reform mission" has prompted the Giang Vo Ward Women's Union to implement a groundbreaking and profoundly humane model – the "Godmother" model.

This is a practical model implementing the "Godmother Program" launched by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union in late 2021 to sponsor, support, care for, and nurture orphaned children, helping them find a foundation on their journey to adulthood.

At the beginning of 2022, Ms. Dinh Thu Huong, Vice President of the Women's Union of Giang Vo Ward, stated that the Union had reviewed and researched methods suitable to each family's circumstances to effectively implement the program. Over the three-year period from 2022 to 2025, the Women's Union of Giang Vo Ward has connected with, assisted, and supported nine orphaned children or those with particularly difficult circumstances through long-term, stable, and responsible care, thereby spreading the value of love and fostering a sense of community among its members.

The "Godmother" model is not simply a charitable program; it is a philosophy of action, a systematized symbol of love, aimed at building a solid foundation for disadvantaged children. The core meaning of this model is built on three strong pillars of value, creating a lasting difference and effectiveness in local social work.

The "Godmother" program is gaining widespread popularity, promoting positive traditional values of human kindness. In addition to providing material support, the godmothers and local women's associations also care for and encourage the children emotionally, helping them overcome feelings of inferiority, alleviate the pain of losing loved ones, and become more sociable and open with those around them.

“The program carries profound humanitarian significance, clearly demonstrating the qualities, kindness, and compassion of Vietnamese women. It also reflects the spirit and responsibility of officials and members in addressing social issues, contributing to the government's efforts to care for and nurture orphaned children, ensuring that no one is left behind and giving them a brighter future.”

"As a bridge, the Women's Union of Giang Vo Ward will continue to promote communication and mobilize the joint efforts of organizations, individuals, and philanthropists to ensure that more orphaned children receive sponsorship, contributing to spreading and expanding the positive humanitarian values of the program," said Dinh Thu Huong, Vice President of the Women's Union of Giang Vo Ward.

The group of godmothers of the twin children D.LT and D.AT. *Photo: DH*

Many humanistic values

NTH (born in 2014, Giang Vo ward), an orphan whose father passed away and whose mother is a low-wage factory worker raising two children of school age, was sponsored by the women of the former Cong Vi ward before the implementation of the two-tiered local government model to ensure a continuous source of support. Since the establishment of the new Giang Vo ward, the Giang Vo Ward Women's Union has been actively seeking support for NTH. Recognizing NTH's situation, Ms. Pham Thi Thu Hien (Group 13, Giang Vo ward) has become her sponsor. With a kind heart, she has provided 1 million VND per month until NTH turns 18, helping her to study and grow up surrounded by the love and care of the community.

This demonstrates a stable and long-term commitment – a key factor that distinguishes this model from other short-term charitable activities. The deprivation of vulnerable children is not a temporary problem but a long-standing series of difficulties, requiring a continuous and committed solution.

For example, Ms. Tran Thuy Lieu (from the Trung Hoa Women's Charity Group) has been sponsoring a child in Giang Vo ward since March 2024. Child M is an orphan, having lost both parents, and lives with her grandmother who suffers from schizophrenia.

Ms. Tran Thuy Lieu stated that, with her life experience and inherent empathy as a woman, her role is not only that of a sponsor but also that of a family member and an unofficial psychological expert.

"Through genuine care, visits, and encouragement, I try to instill positive energy and help alleviate the psychological trauma that children are suffering. This is especially important in shaping their character and developing a positive attitude towards life," Ms. Lieu said.

For example, a group of women in Thanh Cong ward (formerly part of Giang Vo ward) have sponsored twin children D.LT and D.AT (both born in 2020, Giang Vo ward). The children lost their mother in 2023 and live with their father, a motorbike taxi driver, and their paternal grandparents. Their grandmother has no salary, and their grandfather earns a low wage and works as a night security guard to make ends meet. Upon learning of their situation, the women discussed and decided to pool their resources to provide monthly support for the two children.

The "Godmother" model is not limited to the Giang Vo Ward Women's Union but has become a widespread social movement, a testament to the power of kindness. From its initial individual efforts, the movement has grown strongly, attracting local branches to become the organizing, managing, and connecting children with godmothers within their assigned areas; members voluntarily register to participate, turning ideas into action. The model has also attracted organizations, businesses, and individuals outside the organization to contribute financially and materially.

The godmothers of Giang Vo ward presented gifts to children in particularly difficult circumstances. *Photo: DH*

A living testament to the power of women.

According to Pham Thi Hoa, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Giang Vo Ward, this spread is not limited to Giang Vo Ward but has also inspired many other localities. The model has successfully built a vast network of love throughout the ward, where all residents work together to protect and nurture the future generation. This affirms the role of the Women's Union as a bridge between community resources and those in need, optimizing the combined strength of society.

Spreading this sense of responsibility is the highest expression of the mission of innovation that the Women's Union of Giang Vo Ward has set forth. Innovation here is not only about changing the methods of support (from emergency to long-term), but also about changing community thinking - from relying on state support to self-reliance and voluntarily building a compassionate and responsible society. The "Godmother" model has successfully awakened the spirit of mutual support in a modern and sustainable way.

The "Godmother" model of the Women's Union of Giang Vo Ward is a prime example of the effectiveness of organized and systematized compassion. The model has transcended the boundaries of a mere movement, becoming a people-centered social development strategy.

Through three core values: "Stable and long-term companionship, Connecting with love - healing emotional gaps, and Spreading community responsibility," this model has created a dual impact, improving the living and learning conditions of disadvantaged children, restoring and healing their inner wounds, and simultaneously inspiring and strengthening a spirit of collective responsibility within the community.

The mission of women's organizations in the period of reform is not only to protect the rights of members but also to create humanistic values for the entire society. The "Godmother" initiative is the most vivid example of fulfilling this noble mission, affirming the leading and connecting role of women in building a united, loving, and sustainably developing community. This is not just a success of one ward, but a great source of inspiration for the entire system of women's organizations nationwide.

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