Supporting disadvantaged youth

Caring for the less fortunate

In the middle of a windy afternoon at sea, we visited the home of Thach Phi Nhung, a young man living in Group 1, Tien Hai Commune, who has been struggling with epilepsy for many years. Each prolonged seizure has caused his health to decline, limiting his ability to take care of himself. All activities from eating, hygiene to moving around depend on his mother, Nguyen Thi My Tien. Ms. Tien makes a living by raising fish in cages at sea and struggling to take care of her children. Her face is tanned from long days at sea, her hands are full of cracks from the sun and wind. “There are days when I can work for a few hours and then have to go home to take care of my children. As long as my children are healthy, I am happy! When the family is in difficulty, the authorities and commune organizations come to visit, bringing rice, a few boxes of milk, fever-reducing medicine... It is not only material support but also sharing, giving me more strength to move on,” Ms. Tien shared.

Tien Hai Commune Union gives gifts to families with disadvantaged youth. Photo: DANH THANH

Ly Thi Thu Ha, resident of Group 2, Tien Hai Commune, is in a similar situation and suffers from cerebral palsy. Ha cannot walk steadily and her communication is also limited. Ha's mother, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diem, mainly sells groceries at home and cannot travel far because she has to take care of Ha. However, the small profit is only enough for Ms. Diem to cover the expenses of taking care of her family. "I am always afraid that my child's illness will get worse. Thinking about my child's future, I try to stand up. My family often receives support from the commune. The union members have repeatedly mobilized benefactors to donate necessities and nutritional milk, so I feel that I am not alone in taking care of my child," Ms. Diem said.

Situations like Phi Nhung and Thu Ha are not rare in Tien Hai island commune. Isolated life, difficult economic conditions, and limited access to health services make the hardships of their families even heavier. Therefore, the programs to care for disadvantaged youth of Tien Hai Commune Union are not only material support but also a source of invaluable spiritual encouragement.

Warm bridges in the middle of the ocean

Over the past years, the Tien Hai Commune Youth Union has considered taking care of disadvantaged youth as a key task. With difficult conditions, and lives mainly dependent on the sea, supporting children with health problems and special circumstances is even more important. Regular visits, support with rice, milk, medicine; words of encouragement, sharing... have become beautiful habits of the community on the small island. Mr. Tien Kim Hen - Vice Chairman of the Tien Hai Commune People's Committee said: "The commune always identifies taking care of disadvantaged youth as not only a task but also a responsibility to the community. In recent times, the Commune Youth Union has had practical activities to support disadvantaged youth to have more motivation to rise up."

In caring for disadvantaged youth, the youth union members play a connecting role and spread the spirit of sharing. According to Secretary of Tien Hai Commune Union Phan Thi Thuy Diem, on the island, each disadvantaged youth has their own story. Some have been sick since childhood, some have lacked care, some have difficult conditions. Therefore, the Commune Union visits each house to visit and encourage them during Tet, Youth Month, and summer volunteering. Whether it is just a small gift or a few sessions of helping their families, the union members always want disadvantaged youth to feel that everyone is always there.

“We identify caring for disadvantaged youth as a long-term task. The commune will continue to mobilize philanthropists to regularly visit and give gifts to disadvantaged youth. We believe that when the community joins hands and compassion spreads, disadvantaged youth on the island commune will have more opportunities to be cared for. That is also the way for us to build a strong, united and humane Tien Hai,” said Ms. Phan Thi Thuy Diem.

Amidst the vast sea and sky, Tien Hai becomes warmed by the humanity spread by acts of kindness. It is these “bridges of love”, the joint efforts of the government, organizations and the community that help disadvantaged youth overcome difficulties and dream of a better future.

FAMOUS CITY

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nang-buoc-thanh-nien-yeu-the-a467578.html