Children in the highlands pose for a commemorative photo with members of the "Project for Children". Photo: VNA.
Bringing love, giving it silently.
As a child, Hai lived with his grandmother in Dong Thap province and often listened to Buddhist monks preach during his free time. Meeting Thach Ngoc Hai one October afternoon, he shared: When he was in 5th grade, witnessing the monks at the temple near his house slowly walking to the main hall during the repentance chanting ceremony, the 11-year-old boy wondered how the monks could be so calm amidst the bustling atmosphere. After each chanting session, Hai heard sermons about kindness, and the idea of doing good and volunteering was kindled from then on. Later, when he entered Dong Thap University, Hai also participated in volunteer programs to help cancer patients in the province.
Entering his second year of university, Thach Ngoc Hai discovered that there were still many children in different circumstances who needed help. And perhaps this was when his childhood wish began. He and a few friends in the Faculty of Culture - Tourism and Social Work of Dong Thap University started a project called "Project for Children". Launched on June 1, 2023, the project targets disadvantaged groups, children in remote, mountainous, and ethnic minority areas. Later, Hai added a section to the charity program to help children in disadvantaged areas.
Up to now, "Project for Children" has visited 55 love stations (55 times supporting children) across the country, helping 5,300 children, with a budget of 2.6 billion VND from benefactors and Hai's own budget and the project members.
"The 'Project for Children' is like a train for Thach Ngoc Hai and his team, along with philanthropists nationwide. Each act of assistance is like a stop on the train. And this train only has a starting point, not an end point, as long as there are children in this world who need help. For each stop, Hai and his colleagues invest their own money and time to survey, calculate the number of gifts to be given, and the necessary financial support. For some stops, Hai and the program members have to travel to remote villages in the highlands of Lam Dong province, 100 km from Da Lat, traversing forests and navigating rough, winding roads to reach the villages...
Members of the "Project for Children" award scholarships to support children in mountainous areas. Photo: VNA.
Ms. Nguyen Doan Ngoc Dieu, Deputy Head of the "Project for Children," commented: "Thach Ngoc Hai is very good at academics and social activities, possesses a very positive energy, and always wants to bring good things to disadvantaged children. Having been involved for two years, I find the project truly meaningful. When participating in the project's activities, I feel that the members have contributed their youthful energy to social activities, especially helping disadvantaged children have more motivation to strive for learning and development. Thach Ngoc Hai's achievements and contributions are clear evidence of a compassionate heart, a passionate spirit of living beautifully, and a strong inspiration to the community."
A lasting and enduring dream.
To get the project to where it is today, Thach Ngoc Hai and the team have gone through many ups and downs. Most of the project's charity stations lacked stages, banners, signs, or ribbon-cutting ceremonies to welcome the volunteer group delivering gifts, and there were no certificates of appreciation for the benefactors... but Thach Ngoc Hai remained enthusiastic, eager to meet the children in person and give them practical gifts. Each time they gave gifts, they were met with innocent eyes filled with joy, happiness, and gratitude; just the timely help provided to the children was enough to motivate them to change their lives.
Hai shared that the project goes beyond simply giving gifts and aims to create a holistic development environment for underprivileged children through practical activities such as: awarding long-term scholarships, building self-study rooms and libraries, supporting educational expenses; organizing workshops to develop life skills, creative thinking, and social skills; implementing a milk donation campaign, organizing cooking activities for children; mobilizing support for building school kitchens, repainting dilapidated walls, and cleaning public spaces...
Mr. Thach Ngoc Hai reads books with children at the "Classroom for Children" of the charity program. Photo: VNA.
In addition, Thach Ngoc Hai also founded the "Ambassador of Compassion" model to allow everyone in society to participate in charitable activities. With this model, people can do charity work by contributing 50,000 VND per month. The model aims to spread kindness, love, and sharing in life, regardless of who you are – rich or poor, young or old. Through this, the model creates a network to spread good things in life, aiming to build a kind and compassionate community. To date, the "Ambassador of Compassion" model has attracted 1,600 ambassadors nationwide and students abroad in countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan (China), Australia, and New Zealand.
Accompanying Thach Ngoc Hai in recent months at the survey site in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Duong Ngoc Tram shared that when participating in the "Project for Children," she found it to be a meaningful project that brings much joy and happiness to underprivileged children in remote areas. Working together, Ngoc Hai is a very dedicated, responsible, and sociable person, always ready to help and support the team members. Everyone shares, works, and supports each other to complete the assigned tasks.
"I hope that the spirit of love will always be present so that the 'Project for Children' train has more motivation to move forward. In the future, the project will expand its activities to include long-term sponsorship for each child, so that they receive the best support until they graduate or find employment and stabilize their lives. The gifts will also be changed to essential, long-lasting items that the children can use more effectively and usefully. Only then will the program be sustainable," Thach Ngoc Hai shared.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/nguoi-tot-viec-tot/hanh-trinh-xay-dung-du-an-cho-em-noi-dai-yeu-thuong-20251026080149590.htm
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