The Connector of Love

The love and desire to share with those facing hardship, shown by Ms. Tuyet Nga, a woman nearing 80, has attracted many others to join hands and contribute alongside her...

Thirteen years ago, when her granddaughter, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga (born in 1948), started attending junior high school, she happily accepted the position of head of the student representative committee. Many people were concerned about her health. But she didn't worry; she continued to diligently carry out her assigned duties, achieving convincing successes.

Ms. Tuyet Nga with volunteer doctors from Ho Chi Minh City. PHOTO: Provided by the interviewee.

She, along with the school, contacted organizations, businesses, and philanthropists everywhere to support the students in continuing their education. To date, over 40 students have received sponsorship. She shared that she had experienced hardship herself, so she understands the immense desire of these children and grandchildren to continue their education (her husband passed away when she was only 33, her family's circumstances were average, if not still difficult, with four children, the youngest only 8 months old, and the others still of school age; she had to suppress her grief to raise them). She always contributes to help the students overcome their difficulties.

She has set impressive "records," such as in 2021 awarding the "Lighting Up Dreams" scholarship from the Dong Thap Lottery and raising an additional 130 million VND for Nguyen Phu Thanh, a student at the school (where her grandson studies), in addition to finding accommodation for his family.

Nguyen Hoai Thanh, born in 2000, a fourth-year student at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, who received support, said she will always remember Ms. Nga and the benefactors who helped her overcome a major obstacle in her life. Thanh affectionately calls Ms. Nga: "My Grandma Muoi!"

Or take the case of Nguyen Duy Cuong, born in 1989. His mother suffered from a severe heart condition, putting him at risk of dropping out of school. With the help of Ms. Nga and her friends, he graduated from high school, continued his nursing studies, and found work at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Even after settling in the US, he still remembers her. He regularly sends money back to share with others who are in similar situations to his own past. Cuong emotionally calls her "Mother Hai," saying, "Mother Hai is my benefactor, my second mother."

Ms. Nga attended the graduation ceremony with a sponsored student. PHOTO: Provided by the interviewee.

During her 20 years of promoting education, she has had many companions who admire, understand, and trust her, and together they support the children. One such person is Ms. Pham Thi Thu Vu, daughter of the late philanthropist Pham Van Ben - Co May. Ms. Thu Vu donates rice, provides meals for poor and disadvantaged students, and supports tuition fees and even accommodation at the Co May dormitory in Ho Chi Minh City for students without housing.

In addition, there was also the support of intellectuals such as lawyer Xuan Huong, doctors and medical staff in Sa Dec and Ho Chi Minh City, and the Anh hairdressing vocational training center…

Dr. Nguyen Huu Nhat Truong, who works at Sa Dec Hospital, said he greatly admires Ms. Tuyet Nga's dedication to the community. He always happily participates in medical examinations and treatments for people in disadvantaged areas whenever she invites him.

Despite their advanced age, they remain happy with their work promoting education.

Despite her advanced age and the health problems associated with it, Mrs. Nga remains cheerful in her work promoting education and talent. Whenever she hears of a needy family or school, she's there immediately. She often walks to local areas, homes, and schools to meet with local authorities, organizations, families, and students directly, ensuring that her support reaches the right people and is effective. She happily shared that her walking has noticeably improved her health. Students needing her assistance can send a letter or meet her in person anytime.

In December 2023, in addition to the 12 million VND scholarship from the Dong Thap Provincial Education Promotion Association and Vinh Hoan Company for Phan Thanh Truc (a student at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Specialized High School, Sa Dec City), Ms. Nga and other sponsors donated over 100 million VND and a laptop to her. Her family owns no farmland; her father is a factory worker, her mother is a cleaner, and she faced the risk of dropping out of school, but she was determined to overcome poverty. Truc achieved excellent academic results and won third prize in Biology at the national level, earning direct admission to Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

Ms. Tuyet Nga's heartfelt compassion for underprivileged students has helped her connect with benefactors abroad. Over the years, dozens of laptops have been delivered directly to students through Ms. Tuyet Nga's referrals. In many cases, students received laptops right at their dormitories without having to return home (saving both time and money).

"The Fragrance of Compassion" Spreads

Ms. Tuyet Nga shared that in 2012, she visited the Sa Dec City General Hospital to see a patient. On her way back, passing by the kidney treatment area, she saw a woman sitting on a bench, looking exhausted. Upon inquiring, she learned that the woman had just finished a routine dialysis session and was too tired and hungry to walk. Ms. Tuyet Nga was moved, so she offered the woman a meal and then escorted her home.

The image of that woman made her think a lot. She sought out the hospital doctors to learn more. The doctors said that before dialysis, patients should eat a nutritious meal and drink milk. The specific menu would be prescribed by the doctor, with limits on salt, protein, potassium, etc., for each individual case. So, Ms. Tuyet Nga decided to help dialysis patients have nutritious meals before and after treatment. The Huong Tu Bi charitable group, with the core being Buddhists from Tu Quang Pagoda in Sa Dec, was established and immediately contributed support. Notably, in 2015, the pagoda transferred 126 million VND, intended for the repair of its facilities, to support law enforcement forces at the Coast Guard Command and the Regional Fisheries Department 2… to show the people's devotion to the soldiers' duty of protecting the homeland's seas and islands.

The Ho Chi Minh City and Sa Dec City Volunteer Doctors and Nurses Club before departing for their mission. PHOTO: Provided by the team.

Ms. Tuyet Nga enthusiastically joined the Sa Dec City Volunteer Doctors and Nurses Club from the very beginning. Together with the team, she organized numerous free medical check-ups, medication distributions, haircuts for patients, and humanitarian markets for disadvantaged people across various wards and communes for many consecutive years.

With over 100 patients regularly undergoing dialysis, the meals provided by Ms. Tuyet Nga and her colleagues are meticulously prepared, reducing costs for families, reassuring patients, and gaining the support of hospital leadership. To this day, the meal program continues to be maintained.

N., a student in my former class, had to care for her mother undergoing dialysis and was at risk of dropping out of school. She shared that it was difficult to balance her studies and care for her mother when her dialysis sessions and school hours clashed. I boldly discussed the situation with Ms. Nga, hoping for her support. Upon learning of the situation, Ms. Nga quickly met with the school's leadership to find ways to help prevent N. from dropping out of school. Subsequently, the hospital arranged suitable treatment times for N.'s mother in the late afternoon/evening. This allowed N. to manage her time between school and caring for her mother, and she continued her studies until graduation.

Together with benefactors, the Sa Dec City Red Cross Society presented gifts to people in need. PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SOURCE.

For these contributions, Ms. Tuyet Nga and her colleagues were honored at the "Gratitude for Good Deeds" ceremony organized by the Dong Thap Provincial Red Cross in 2023; in 2024, she received a certificate of merit from the Dong Thap Provincial Committee for her charitable activities.

Ms. Tuyet Nga expressed: "My wish is that caring for dialysis patients, helping students achieve academic success, escape poverty, and contribute to society... will be continued and further developed by future generations. I believe that more people will participate so that charitable work can spread everywhere."

During one of our meetings, she told me, "I will dedicate the rest of my life to helping those less fortunate, contributing to alleviating their suffering. I believe I can do that!"

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-ket-noi-yeu-thuong-18525050622263862.htm