A spring filled with love for orphans.

(Dong Nai) - With the desire to bring a spring full of love and a joyful Tet holiday to orphaned children being cared for at the Social Work Center and the Children's Protection Fund of Dong Nai province, on February 13th (26th day of the 12th lunar month of the Year of the Snake), the staff and employees of the center organized the making of banh chung and banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes).

Staff and children at the Provincial Social Work Center and Children's Protection Fund wrap banh chung and banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). Photo: Nga Son.

Mr. Hoang Vinh Quang, Director of the Provincial Center for Social Work and Children's Protection Fund, said: The center currently cares for and nurtures 365 people; including over 140 children, the rest being the elderly, people with disabilities, and people with mental illnesses. To bring the Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere to those living at the center, especially to help the orphaned children feel the joy of Tet togetherness, the center annually organizes the making of banh chung and banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). This year, the staff and children at the center made approximately 400 cakes.

To complete 400 cakes, from early morning, staff members of the center were present to prepare rice, beans, meat, banana leaves, and string. After the preparation, the staff members assigned tasks ranging from wrapping, cutting leaves, tying strings, to cooking the cakes…

Children at the Provincial Social Work Center and Children's Protection Fund are guided in wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). Photo: Nga Son

Having been associated with the center for 20 years, Ms. Pham Thi Mai, currently residing in Trang Dai ward, has participated in making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) at the center for many years. Ms. Mai said: "This activity not only helps individuals at the center have banh chung to use during Tet (Vietnamese New Year) but, more importantly, it represents the care, affection, and love that the center's staff and employees have for the individuals living there, helping them to have a joyful Tet celebration with their families."

Having been brought to the center at a young age, 13-year-old Nguyen Kim Nhi is intimately familiar with the center's Tet (Lunar New Year) activities. According to Kim Nhi, after the Tet holiday, the children will join the staff in cleaning the center's grounds and making artificial apricot and peach blossom trees to enhance the festive atmosphere. The activity she looks forward to most is wrapping banh chung and banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes).

That was a time when everyone came together, wrapping rice cakes while chatting happily. Children living at the center, like Nhi, got to watch, help the adults wrap the cakes, and gather around the fire to watch the pot of rice cakes cook...

Children at the Provincial Social Work Center and Children's Protection Fund are guided in wrapping banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). Photo: Nga Son

According to Hoang Vinh Quang, Director of the Social Work Center and Children's Protection Fund of the province, in addition to making banh chung and banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), the center has developed a specific plan and program to help residents celebrate the Lunar New Year. Before Tet, the center purchased clothes and shoes for all residents; went to the supermarket; planned Tet menus; and organized visits to the martyrs' cemetery for the children.

The center will organize New Year's Eve celebrations and give lucky money to the children. During the Tet holiday, the children will participate in fun activities and visit the Tran Bien Temple of Literature…

Nga Son

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202602/mua-xuan-tron-ven-yeu-thuong-with-tre-mo-coi-1711023/