Both students are orphans from extremely difficult circumstances. They have been sponsored by Brigade 96 since August 2022 until they reach 18 years of age, in response to the "Godmother" program launched by the Vietnam Women's Union. For over three years, Brigade 96 has coordinated with the families, schools, and local organizations to provide cash and material support to help the two children attend school.

Leaders and commanders of Brigade 96 presented gifts to support two students sponsored by the unit.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Tham, Political Commissar of Brigade 96, shared: “The unit always hopes that the two children and their family will continue to strive, no matter how difficult the circumstances, they must not be discouraged but must strive to excel in their studies and work hard to stabilize their lives and accumulate resources for the future. We will always stand by and support them so that they and their family can confidently overcome all difficulties and look towards a bright future.”

To concretize the sponsorship program, at the beginning of the new school year, the unit provides each child with a set of textbooks for their grade level, a school bag, a uniform, and many notebooks and school supplies. In addition, the unit annually covers 100% of tuition fees and provides health insurance cards to help the children feel secure attending school. To ensure their daily living needs, the unit provides 15kg of rice per child each month. In total, from 2022 to the present, Brigade 96 has supported two children with a total cost of over 50 million VND.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Biec, mother of Phan Minh Long, shared: “Every time I receive information from the commander of Brigade 96 announcing the time they will come to deliver gifts to my family, I am moved and moved to tears. I feel the sincere affection and deep concern of the artillery soldiers. This practical support is a source of encouragement for my son to try his best to be well-behaved and study hard. I myself also strive to raise my child well.”

Officers and soldiers of Brigade 96 (Artillery and Missile Command) carry out civilian outreach work in the area.

The orphan sponsorship program was implemented after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, severely impacting the lives, health, and livelihoods of people in the southeastern provinces and cities. An Phuoc commune was one of the hardest-hit areas. Many children suddenly became orphans after the pandemic. Therefore, the "Godmother" program is not only a practical way to alleviate the pain and loss of orphaned children but also carries profound humanitarian significance, demonstrating the noble gesture of the soldiers of Uncle Ho's army.

Understanding those immense losses, over the past three years, Brigade 96 has closely coordinated with local authorities to effectively carry out civilian outreach, policy implementation, and the "Godmother" program. This is a concrete manifestation of the nation's and the Army's tradition of solidarity and compassion, ensuring "no one is left behind," contributing to strengthening and building a "people's support base" and a close-knit military-civilian relationship.

Collaborate with local youth to clean up the residential environment.

Ms. Mai Thi Hue, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of An Phuoc commune, said: “In addition to sponsoring orphans, over the past time, officers and soldiers of Brigade 96 have always stood side by side with the locality to develop social welfare; organized many field trips to carry out civilian work, support and assist the locality in preventing epidemics, repairing village roads and alleys, cleaning schools and war memorials; giving gifts to policy beneficiary families, poor households, and students who overcome difficulties… The Party Committee, government and people of the locality acknowledge, highly appreciate and express sincere gratitude to the officers and soldiers of Brigade 96 - artillery soldiers with deep affection and wholeheartedly serving the people.”

For its outstanding achievements in mass mobilization work, Brigade 96 was recently awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army for its participation in the "Skilled Mass Mobilization" emulation movement and the building of a "Good Mass Mobilization Unit" during the 2021-2025 period.

Text and photos: NGU THANH TUYEN

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/nghia-tinh-cua-bo-doi-phao-binh-846103