The "father" of over 300 orphans

Emerging from the smoke and flames of two wars defending the homeland, veteran Nguyen Trung Chat (born in 1952) returned to civilian life with a simple aspiration: to live in a way that is worthy of his fallen comrades. For the past 22 years, this son of Hung Yen province has persistently realized that aspiration, becoming a "father" to more than 300 orphans, building "Houses of Hope" with his sweat, tears, and compassionate heart.

Veteran Nguyen Trung Chat at his hometown in Duc Hop commune, Hung Yen province.

The old soldier and the "command" from his heart.

One morning in early 2026, I visited Phu Cuong village, Duc Hop commune, to meet veteran Nguyen Trung Chatt, who had just returned from visiting his children in Lang Son province. Prior to that, in late December 2025, he was honored as one of the outstanding individuals recognized at the 11th National Emulation Congress.

In the small courtyard of his simple, one-story house, the faint scent of Dien pomelos mingled with the aroma of hot tea. Mr. Chắt began his story with a gentle smile: "Traveling from Hung Yen to Lang Son takes a whole month, leaving only a couple of days for my family in Hanoi ."

He shared that he had worked for 26 years in the People's Armed Police Force (now the Border Guard) and the General Department of Security; directly participating in the liberation of the South in 1975 and fighting to protect the northern border in 1979. Retiring in 1998 with three children still in school, he had to work many jobs to make ends meet.

Mr. Chắt led two orphaned children from the Hope Center in Lạng Sơn to light incense on the anniversary of his birth mother's death. (Photo provided by the subject).

In 2003, when his family life was stable and his children had grown up, witnessing many orphaned, homeless, and underprivileged children lacking access to education, he decided to build the Tien Cau Hope Center (Hiep Cuong commune) – the first shelter to care for 24 children. In 2007 and 2019, he continued to build two more facilities in Lang Son province (where he served in the military): the Lang Son Hope Center and the Loc Binh Hope Center. Remarkably, all three centers bear the name "Hope." Mr. Chat explained: "I don't want the children to feel ashamed of being orphans or to live in pity. I named them Hope so they can believe in the future, confidently step out into society as decent, mature individuals."

Recalling the early days of establishing the Tien Cau Hope Center, Mr. Chat faced considerable criticism and disapproval when he poured all his savings, and even borrowed money, into raising orphans. However, it was the unfortunate circumstances he witnessed firsthand that motivated him to persevere…

Mr. Chắt and "the children" at the Tien Cau Hope Center.

The "mathematics" of compassion

Raising one child is difficult enough; raising hundreds of children presents a significant economic and educational challenge. On average, the monthly cost for each child ranges from 2.5 to 3 million VND; this figure doubles when the children attend college or university. Over more than 20 years of maintaining three centers, the total cost has exceeded 20 billion VND, mostly from Mr. Chắt's savings and monthly pension. "There were times when I used up all of my family's savings and it still wasn't enough to cover living expenses and medicine for the children; I had to borrow money from everywhere," he shared.

Among his children, he was most moved when talking about Minh Thu – the child he is caring for at the Tien Cau "House of Hope." Seven years ago, he adopted Thu's mother when she was pregnant under difficult circumstances. When Thu was only a few months old, her mother left, abandoning the child. "It was so hard then, I had to beg for every drop of milk for my child throughout the village, just hoping she would have enough to eat," he choked up. Now, Minh Thu is in first grade, healthy and well-behaved.

At the "Houses of Hope," Mr. Chắt established a disciplined military lifestyle: waking up at 5:30 a.m., getting ready, eating breakfast, and then going to school; in the afternoon, they would engage in agricultural production, growing vegetables and raising chickens... He believed: "We must let our children get used to working and become independent so that they can be strong when they enter the world."

Mr. Chắt always made time to care for and look after his children. (Photo provided by the subject).

The sweet fruits of kindness

For over two decades, Mr. Chắt has personally cared for 305 orphans. His "nursery" has borne fruit, with 46 of them graduating from college and university. Many are now doctors, teachers, and engineers; some have even had their marriages arranged by him.

Even more commendable, this journey of compassion is continued by his own "children." Ngo Quoc Hung (born in 1991), who grew up at the Loc Binh Hope Center (Lang Son), after graduating from Hanoi Pedagogical University and completing his master's program, gave up opportunities in the city to return to the Loc Binh Hope Center to help his father care for the children. "For me, returning here is like coming home!" Hung's heartfelt words affirm the humanitarian values ​​that Mr. Chat has sown.

Mr. Chắt (on the left) at the wedding of his "daughter" Nông Thị Duyên (born in 1991) in Lạng Sơn.

For his contributions to social welfare work, Mr. Chắt has received numerous commendations from the Prime Minister, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the People's Committees of Hung Yen and Lang Son provinces. Currently, with his prestige and experience, he actively participates in front-line work, serving as a member of the Advisory Council on Culture and Society, and a member of the Hung Yen Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front for the 2024-2029 term.

As we parted ways with the old soldier, his words still echoed as a reminder: "As long as I have my health, I will continue to work. As Uncle Ho taught, whatever benefits the people, we must do our utmost to accomplish." For Mr. Chắt, this was not only the conviction of a soldier and a Party member, but also a continuation of Uncle Ho's teachings, guiding him through more than two decades of silently building "Houses of Hope," compensating for hardships with the kindness of life.

Duong Mien

Source: https://baohungyen.vn/nguoi-cha-cua-hon-300-tre-mo-coi-3190178.html