A disabled woman wholeheartedly dedicated to helping the poor.

"It stems from my heartfelt desire to share and help many disadvantaged people in the locality, not only to bring them joy but also to give my own life more meaning," shared Ms. Le Thi Tinh (52 years old, Phu Long 1 village, Van Tuong commune, Quang Ngai province) about her 7-year journey of tirelessly helping the poor.

The woman, with her slender build, had been disabled since childhood, with one leg atrophied, making walking somewhat difficult. However, she always possessed a kind heart and a willingness to share with the poor.

In 2019, amidst the complicated Covid-19 pandemic, she was entrusted with the responsibility of Head of the Women's Association of Phu Long 1 village (Van Tuong commune, Quang Ngai province). Without salary or allowances, she still accepted the responsibility wholeheartedly. She rallied villagers to donate rice, vegetables, and essential supplies to Ho Chi Minh City to support people in the affected areas, and participated in cooking meals to send to quarantine zones.

With her thoughtful and diligent nature, Mrs. Tinh always cares about the common good that she deems necessary and worthwhile. Mrs. Ngo Thi Kinh (62 years old, Phu Long 1 village) suffers from mental illness, and since 2019, her health has deteriorated, making her unable to work in the fields. Her more than one sao (approximately 1000 square meters) of rice paddies, her only source of livelihood, is at risk of being abandoned. Sympathizing with Mrs. Kinh, Mrs. Tinh mobilized other women to participate in planting, tending, harvesting, and milling the rice... to ensure that each harvest yields enough rice for Mrs. Kinh to live on.

Ms. Tinh, Head of the Women's Association of Phu Long 1 village, chatting with Ms. Kinh. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

"Giving her rice only provides enough for a while, but if we help her cultivate the land, she'll have rice to eat all year round," Mrs. Tinh confided. Seeing Mrs. Tinh's work, some lent her harvesting machines, others helped mill the rice, all free of charge, because everyone wanted to contribute a small part to the great act of kindness that Mrs. Tinh had initiated.

Since 2019, every rice harvest has consistently yielded 7 bags of rice per sao (a unit of land measurement). Only in years of poor harvests does Mrs. Tinh go around collecting rice donations from the village to send to Mrs. Kinh, 10 kg per month.

Every time Mrs. Tinh visited, Mrs. Kinh's face lit up like a child meeting a relative. Although illness had clouded her memory, Mrs. Kinh never forgot the kindness and affection. She clasped Mrs. Tinh's hand, pulled her down to sit, and chatted animatedly as if reuniting with a long-lost friend. "I'm so happy! Thanks to Mrs. Tinh, my house always has plenty of rice in the jar. She often gives me sweets, fruit... I'm so grateful! I can't do anything, yet she still loves and cares for me like family," Mrs. Kinh shared.

Many families in Phu Long 1 village, whenever they face hardship or difficulty, receive heartfelt support from Mrs. Tinh. She not only contributes her own labor but also mobilizes the women in the village to work together, helping with farming and rice planting. For example, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tu and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Luyen are among those who have received support and assistance from Mrs. Tinh and the women in the village during their difficult times.

Ms. Tinh donated rice to elderly people in difficult circumstances in the village and distributed porridge. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang (45 years old, Phu Long 1 village) suffers from congenital heart disease and single-handedly raises three children in difficult circumstances. Ms. Tinh initiated a program to "collect recyclable materials to help poor households." Initially, she quietly went around collecting discarded bottles and cans. When the villagers learned of the meaning behind her actions, they were moved and brought their bottles and cans to Ms. Tinh's house. Thanks to this collective effort, Ms. Tinh collects 150,000 VND each month to support Ms. Trang.

Ms. Tinh confided: "I feel sorry for women when I see them suffering. I help them in any way I can – rice from my home, money from selling rice and paddy… I share whatever I can."

Ms. Tinh has organized many charitable activities, from helping the poor and calling for donations for disadvantaged children to donating food to the community. Together with the women's association, she regularly maintains programs such as "Breakfast of Love," "Rice Jar of Compassion," and "Collecting Recyclable Materials to Help the Poor"... Each year, through this spirit of sharing, the association collects nearly 200kg of rice and organizes the cooking and distribution of hundreds of free meals every month.

For her compassionate contributions, in 2024, Ms. Tinh was honored with a Certificate of Merit as an "Outstanding Woman" by the Vietnam Women's Union and received a Certificate of Merit from the Provincial People's Committee for her outstanding achievements in studying and following the ideology, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh , during the period 2021–2023. This is a well-deserved recognition for a woman with a compassionate heart, silently sowing seeds of kindness in the community.

NGUYEN TRANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nguoi-phu-nu-khuyet-tat-het-long-vi-nguoi-ngheo-post803024.html