Support for boarding meals - Nurturing dreams for poor children

Lunch of students at Dong Van Primary School.

Initiate from practice with strict implementation method

Dong Van Ward was established on the basis of merging three wards Yen Bac, Bach Thuong and Dong Van, this is an area with many industrial parks, concentrating a large number of workers from other provinces. Along with economic development, social security issues, especially caring for workers' children and poor households, have become a major concern of the government and mass organizations.

Realizing that many students are in particularly difficult circumstances and do not have the conditions to participate in boarding school, the Women's Union of Dong Van Ward has proactively stepped in and initiated the program "Supporting boarding meals for poor students". This is a simple but meaningful activity, demonstrating the spirit of mutual love and support, demonstrating the responsibility of the Women's Union in caring for people's lives, especially children - the most vulnerable group in society.

As early as mid-October 2025, the Women's Union of Dong Van Ward coordinated with the Board of Directors of three primary schools in the area to organize a meeting to agree on a plan to fully support boarding meals for students in especially difficult circumstances, orphans or children of poor workers with illnesses and disabilities. The list of children in need of support was carefully reviewed by relevant units to ensure publicity, transparency and the right subjects.

Comrade Nguyen Khanh Tho, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the ward, Chairman of the Women's Union of Dong Van ward, shared: Implementing the direction of the ward leaders, the Women's Union of the ward has coordinated with three primary schools to review and select cases that are truly difficult, then connect with philanthropists and businesses to donate and support boarding meals. We hope that the children will be guaranteed nutrition, study with peace of mind, and parents will be relieved of the financial burden. In the context of the ward's recent merger, implementing a practical program that is close to people's lives not only has humane meaning, but also helps strengthen the spirit of solidarity in the Union organization, creating a new mark in the hearts of local people.

Extending love and giving strength to less fortunate children

Since its launch, the program has quickly received support from organizations, businesses and generous individuals. Up to now, the Ward Women's Union has mobilized nearly 80 million VND to support boarding meals for more than 20 elementary school students with especially difficult circumstances at three elementary schools: Dong Van, Bach Thuong and Yen Bac.

Representatives of the Board of Directors of Dong Van Primary School and parents received funding to support boarding meals.

At Dong Van Primary School, the Ward Women's Union presented nearly 44 million VND to the school's Board of Directors and representatives of 13 students' families. Each meal costs 30,000 VND/day, including 25,000 VND for the main meal and 5,000 VND for a milk snack.

Teacher Pham Thi Luyen, Principal of Dong Van Primary School, said: The school is located right next to Dong Van Industrial Park, so many students are children of workers from other provinces. Many of them face difficult and deprived circumstances. We believe that all students, whether local children or children of workers from other provinces, deserve to be cared for and looked after. The subsidized meals have helped the students to study two sessions a day, without having to suffer disadvantages due to their circumstances.

Behind each meal is a touching story of perseverance and humanity. Mr. Nguyen Tien Thong, the grandfather of NNBA (a student of class 2D, Dong Van Primary School), choked up as he said: My son died in a work accident, and my daughter-in-law also passed away due to a serious illness. My grandparents are old and sick, but they still try to raise two young children. Thanks to the care of the school and the Women's Union of the ward, the children are supported with meals at boarding school, and we are relieved of our burden. We are truly touched and grateful.

For Ms. Vu Thi Nu, a cleaning worker at a company in the industrial park, this program is a great comfort. Far from home, disabled, and having to raise two small children alone after her husband passed away, she confided: There were times when I worried that I wouldn't have enough money to feed my children at boarding school. Fortunately, the Ward Women's Union and the school's Board of Directors promoted and supported me. Now my children have enough meals and rest safely at school. I feel secure and touched. This is truly a very meaningful program for us.

Spreading humanitarian values, contributing to ensuring social security

Not only stopping at material support, the program also opens up a new way of doing social security work at the grassroots level, bringing love to the right people, at the right time, with the right needs.

Comrade Nguyen Quang Long, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Dong Van Ward Party Committee, commented: The ward's call for support for boarding meals for disadvantaged students is a very practical and humane activity. Thereby, it contributes to ensuring social security, reducing the burden on families, helping all students to be fully cared for - no one is left behind.

Comrade Nguyen Quang Long emphasized that the program has more meaning than that. First of all, this is a practical activity that contributes to maintaining and improving the quality of learning for students. When they are fed well and have reasonable rest time, they can study two sessions a day, limiting the situation of dropping out of school halfway. Along with that, the program also spreads the spirit of solidarity, mutual love and mutual assistance in the community, closely connecting the government, schools, parents and organizations and kind individuals in caring for the younger generation.

In particular, this model clearly demonstrates the proactive and creative role of the ward government and organizations in mobilizing social resources, concretizing the Party and State's policies on educational development, ensuring social security, and aiming to build a civilized and humane community.

From small meals, the program “Supporting boarding meals for poor students” has become a bridge connecting love between all classes of people. Each meal given is another child’s smile kept, each act of sharing is another belief in the good values of life.

By initiating and spreading a meaningful model, the Women's Union of Dong Van Ward not only contributes to social security but also motivates and nurtures dreams for future generations, children who grow up in the loving arms of the community. From supporting simple meals for boarding students, a big message has been sent: kindness, no matter how small, can still make big changes, especially when it starts from love and compassion.

Tien Thanh

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/nhung-suat-an-ban-tru-nuoi-duong-uoc-mo-tre-ngheo-251108100823774.html