“Godmother” – Helping build the future

“Godmother” is a program implemented by the Women's Union of Lao Cai Border Guard Command, Bat Xat Border Guard Station, Y Ty Border Guard Station in coordination with philanthropists, to help and support students with especially difficult circumstances in border areas to continue going to school and build a bright future.

Lo Van Chau, from Vi Phai village, Bat Xat commune, is 14 years old this year. Chau currently lives with his maternal grandparents, who are over 60 years old and constantly ill. In his mind, Chau no longer clearly remembers the faces of his parents, as they left the area when he was very young and have not been in contact with the family for many years.

Providing financial support and gifts to children in Bat Xat commune participating in the "Godmother" program.

Due to extremely difficult family circumstances, outside of school hours, Chau helps her grandparents with farm work and livestock raising to earn income and cover living expenses and her studies.

Recently, with the help of the Bat Xat Border Guard Station and benefactors, Chau received support from the "Godmother" program with an amount of 500,000 VND per month. For many families, this amount is not large, but for Chau's family, it is a significant sum of money to help her buy more books, notebooks, rice, and vegetables, so she can continue to strive in her studies and overcome difficulties in life.

Ms. Tan Ta May, from Ta Ngao village, Bat Xat commune, is a single mother raising three children who are of school age. With limited arable land, Ms. May has to work multiple jobs to support her children. Life is difficult and impoverished year-round, and at times she considered having her eldest child drop out of school to help with housework and care for the younger siblings so she could work. During this most difficult time, Ms. May received a visit from officers of the Bat Xat Border Guard Post. They offered encouragement and explained the advantages and disadvantages of children not receiving adequate schooling and education.

To help the family overcome difficulties, the Bat Xat Border Guard Station provided food assistance and also enrolled Lo Mui Chay (Ms. May's child) in the "Godmother" program. For the past four months, Chay has received 500,000 VND each month. This meaningful financial support has helped alleviate some of the family's hardships.

Donors had the opportunity to meet and give gifts directly to the children participating in the program.

Mr. Nguyen The Hiep, a retired official currently residing in Hanoi, is one of the philanthropists who supports the children in the "Godmother" program.

Along with other philanthropists, Mr. Hiep personally visited the Y Ty Border Guard Post and the Bat Xat Border Guard Post to visit, encourage, and provide support to the children. Meeting and talking with the children and their families, Mr. Hiep and the other philanthropists could not hide their emotions.

He shared: "Despite their difficult family circumstances, the children are all very well-behaved, polite, and have a strong will to strive for success in their studies and lives. We hope that this small monthly support will give them more strength and motivation to continue going to school and pursuing their dreams."

Gifts and financial support were provided to children in Y Tý commune participating in the "Godmother" program.

The "Godmother" program has been implemented since 2024 by the Women's Association of the Lao Cai Border Guard Command, Bat Xat Border Guard Station, and Y Ty Border Guard Station. Accordingly, the border guard stations have connected with philanthropists inside and outside the province to sponsor and support students with particularly difficult circumstances living in border areas.

To date, the "Godmother" program has provided support to 46 students in Y Tý and Bát Xát communes; the support level is 500,000 VND/child/month.

The benefactors are committed to providing support until the children graduate from high school or college/university, and to connecting them with and introducing them to job opportunities afterward.

Lieutenant Colonel Pham Hong Thi, Political Officer of Bat Xat Border Guard Station, said: "To ensure the program is implemented effectively and achieves its objectives, border guard officers will directly provide financial support to the children every month; and closely coordinate with schools to monitor and encourage the children during their studies and training."

Information regarding the implementation of the model and the cases that have been helped is also regularly exchanged between the border guard stations and the benefactors. Depending on the actual conditions, the border guard stations organize meetings between the benefactors and the children receiving support in person to chat, share, and strengthen the bond of love.

The "Godmother" program helps underprivileged children overcome difficulties in life and education.

Along with the programs "Helping Children Go to School," "Adopted Children of Border Guard Posts," and "Project of Officers and Soldiers Helping Children Go to School," which have been effectively implemented by border guard posts along the Lao Cai border, the "Godmother" program has added another bridge of love, contributing to creating better conditions for students with particularly difficult circumstances to attend school, study, and train for a bright, prosperous, and happy future.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/me-do-dau-tiep-suc-xay-dung-tuong-lai-post885346.html