"Godmother" helps disadvantaged children

The “Godmother” program launched by the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union has become a bright spot of humanity, bringing hope and a future to thousands of children in especially difficult circumstances. From the loving and sharing hearts, many orphaned children and children in difficult circumstances have been given more motivation to overcome adversity, continue to go to school, and continue to write their dreams.

Representative of the Women's Union of Ngai Giao commune presented a gift from the "godmother" to Le Ngoc Nhu Quynh, a 5A2 student at Ngai Giao Primary School.

Reliable support

In Ngai Giao commune, in a small house, four sisters Le Ngoc Nhu Quynh (5A2 students of Ngai Giao Primary School) have to support each other with small jobs because their father died early and their mother remarried. The oldest sister Le Ngoc Anh (born in 2009) had to drop out of school early to work for hire to take care of her younger siblings.

Understanding that situation, the Women's Union of Ngai Giao commune called on benefactors to sponsor Nhu Quynh, supporting 3.2 million VND/year along with many practical gifts on holidays, Tet and the beginning of the school year. Thanks to that care, Quynh can continue to go to school, nurturing her dream of studying. "I am very touched because the teachers and uncles care about me and help me continue to go to school. I promise to try my best to study well so as not to let everyone down," Nhu Quynh shared.

Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Hai, Vice President of the Women's Union of Ngai Giao commune, said that in addition to the gifts from "Godmother" for children in difficult circumstances, when the Union has mobilized gifts, it will also give priority to the children. This is a meaningful and humane program that helps many children overcome adversity and help them go to school.

Representatives of Binh Chau commune government visited the family of Tran Van Thai, a 9A2 student at Binh Chau Secondary School, Binh Chau commune, one of the "sponsored" cases.

Tran Van Thai (9A2 student, Binh Chau Secondary School, Binh Chau Commune) also has a difficult situation when his mother had a serious traffic accident, became paralyzed, and lost her cognitive ability. The mother and son depend on their grandparents who are over 70 years old (the grandmother still has to work for hire every day). Sharing the difficulties with Thai's family, the Binh Chau Commune Party Committee has implemented the model of "Sponsoring orphans and children in especially difficult circumstances"; including Thai with a support level of 500,000 VND/month, along with the support of the Commune Women's Union in mobilizing additional funding sources to help Thai study with peace of mind. Since the beginning of 2025, the Binh Chau Commune Party Committee has sponsored 15 orphans and children in especially difficult circumstances in the commune with a total value of 45 million VND and presented 15 gifts including notebooks and school supplies.

Similarly, Dang Ly Thanh Trung (born in 2009, residing in Tam Thang ward) lost his father at the age of 3, living with his mother, Dang Ngoc Em, who makes a living by selling lottery tickets and doing housework. Despite her meager income, she still tries her best to take care of her child. Understanding the situation of the mother and child, Ward 7 Tennis Club has sponsored Trung since September 2023 with a monthly allowance of 500,000 VND. "This support helps my child have more conditions to study. I am grateful to the kind-hearted people who care about my family," Ms. Em said emotionally.

According to Ms. Le Thi Kim Thu, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Union, up to now, the whole city has 1,822 "Godmothers" taking care of 4,954 orphans; of which nearly 3,000 are orphans due to COVID-19. The total monthly support budget is more than 20 billion VND, not to mention the care source from the grassroots up to 30 billion VND. These numbers not only reflect the heart of sharing but also demonstrate the spreading power of kindness in the community.

Spread kindness

The “Godmother” program was initiated by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women’s Union in the context of many children losing loved ones due to COVID-19. With the goal of calling on the community to join hands to care for and nurture orphans, the program quickly spread widely. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Women’s Union at all levels has concretized it in many creative forms, suitable for each locality, to ensure that all orphans are loved, cared for and supported long-term.

Typically, MeiSheng Textiles Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Ngai Giao commune) is sponsoring 25 disadvantaged children in Chau Duc district, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province (old) with a rate of 7 million VND/child/year. In addition, the company also regularly gives gifts and supports learning during Tet and the opening of the school year. "We believe that helping children overcome adversity is contributing to building a better future for the community," said a company representative.

"Godmother" Dao Thi Lien (4th from left), residing in Ngai Giao commune, and representatives of the Ngai Giao Commune Women's Union presented gifts to a child orphaned by her father.

Not only organizations, many individuals also volunteer to become “Godmothers”. Ms. Dao Thi Lien (residing in Ngai Giao commune) is currently sponsoring Le Thi Thanh Ngoc (5th grade student at Binh Ba Primary School). “Seeing the children in need, I want to contribute a small part to help them have the opportunity to study and become useful people for society”, Ms. Lien confided.

The “Godmothers” not only provide material support but also provide a strong spiritual support, regularly visiting and encouraging the children, helping them gain more confidence in their studies and life. The City Women’s Union also regularly monitors the implementation of support policies, ensuring that all orphans enjoy full rights according to State regulations.

The program also attracted the support of many organizations, businesses and individuals in the area, along with many Association officials, Association groups and core members actively participating. All joined hands to create a widespread network of love, making the "Godmother" program a beautiful symbol of the spirit of "mutual love". Sharing about the upcoming development direction, Ms. Le Thi Kim Thu, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Union, said that the Union will continue to mobilize businesses and philanthropists to register as 'Godmothers' for 100% of orphans in residential areas; at the same time, encourage the establishment of 'Godmother' Clubs to share experiences, connect resources and spread love in the community.

From simple actions but containing deep humanity, the program “Godmother” has been and will continue to sow the seeds of kindness. Each support, each heart shared not only helps children overcome the current difficulties, but also gives them faith and provisions to confidently continue on the path towards the future.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/me-do-daunang-buoc-tre-em-kho-khan-20251016162539701.htm