Lighting up the dreams of Tam Ky's youth from "friendship houses"

(QNO) - For over a decade, in Tam Ky City, "friendship houses" built with the contributions of city youth union members and children have helped children in special circumstances have a warm home.

The City Youth Union and the Department of Education and Training of Tam Ky City presented a symbolic plaque to start the construction of the "friendship house" for Vo Van Ca and Vo Van Luu in April 2025. Photo: MY LINH

In the last days of April 2025, amidst the sweltering heat of early summer, the house of two brothers Vo Van Ca (grade 8, Nguyen Khuyen Secondary School) and Vo Van Luu (grade 3, Ngo Quyen Primary School) located deep in the alley of Phu Son block (An Phu ward, Tam Ky city) seemed to light up with new colors. Not only was the wall paint just finished but also the joy bursting in the children's eyes.

Having lost their father at an early age, their mother worked as a factory worker with a meager salary. The three of them lived in a makeshift house with nothing of value. In that house, the two children still diligently went to school with many simple dreams, which were a dry place to sleep, a sturdy roof over their heads during the rainy season.

Understanding this special situation, Tam Ky City Youth Union and the City Department of Education and Training have taken from the Tam Ky Youth Dreams Lighting Fund to give the two children a "friendship house" - a meaningful youth project on the occasion of the 84th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneers Team (May 15, 1941 - May 15, 2025). With a support level of up to 70 million VND, the house was repaired, new rooms were built and fully equipped with essential items. After nearly 1 month of construction, yesterday, May 14, the City Team Council handed over the house and organized a warm team meal to share the joy with Ca and Luu.

“Before, whenever it rained, I was afraid of leaks. Now that we have a new house, I am very happy. My siblings and I will try to study hard to repay the love of our uncles, aunts, and everyone who has helped us,” Ca shared with a bright smile. Happiness is simple, but genuine, touching the hearts of adults.

After nearly a month of repairs, the house was handed over to the family of the Vo Van Ca brothers on May 14, on the occasion of the 84th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneers Team. Photo: MY LINH

Not only Ca and Luu's family, in the 2019-2020 school year, a new roof was also built for Trinh Thi Thu Ha (currently studying in grade 8, Huynh Thuc Khang Secondary School, Truong Xuan Ward). Ha's story makes anyone who hears it choke up, her mother is mentally unstable, her father and grandfather are both blind, and Ha herself is also a disabled child. A family with 4 fragile lives relying on each other in an old, seriously degraded house.

Understanding and sympathizing, the City Youth Union and the City Department of Education and Training mobilized team members throughout the city to have enough funds of 40 million VND to repair and renovate the house for Ha's family.

Also within the framework of the “Lighting up Dreams” program, in the 2022-2023 school year, another house was repaired for Nguyen Thi Thanh Lam (currently in grade 4, Le Van Tam Primary School, An Son Ward). Her mother passed away early, Lam and her brother depended on their elderly grandparents. The burden of making a living fell on the thin shoulders of her grandmother who struggled every day with a noodle stall to raise her grandchildren to study.

The house where Lam lived was badly degraded, with a leaky roof and patchy walls and many cracks. But since the program provided 60 million VND for repairs, the house has been “revived”, along with a look of confidence in the children’s eyes. “The dream of having a decent roof for the children has long been a reality. I don’t know what to say other than thank you,” Lam’s grandmother shared with a choked voice.

Ngo Quyen Primary School presented gifts to congratulate Vo Van Luu - a student of the school on his new home. Photo: MY LINH

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly - Secretary of Tam Ky City Youth Union, the program "Lighting up the dreams of Tam Ky youth" is a journey of sharing, maintained and spread persistently over the past 15 years. Organized with close coordination between the City Youth Union and the City Department of Education and Training, the program not only builds friendship houses but also builds trust for hundreds of children.

To date, 17 friendship houses have been repaired and replaced with temporary, dilapidated houses. In addition, the program has also built 5 school toilets, awarded more than 600 scholarships and 50 savings books to students in especially difficult circumstances. The total funding raised for the program is more than 1.5 billion VND, a vivid demonstration of the power of the community when joining hands for the future of children.

“The fund was built from small contributions from team members, city teams, teachers, and philanthropists. This is not only a material support activity, but also a way for usto educate students about the spirit of compassion, social responsibility, knowing how to share with less fortunate friends, encouraging team members in difficult situations to overcome current difficulties and move towards a bright future,” Ms. Ly shared.

From a small initiative, the program “Lighting up the dreams of Tam Ky youth” has become a flame of hope in every poor house. In the “houses of friendship” built, each brick, each tile, each team member’s meal carries a story of humanity, community responsibility and belief in a better future.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/thap-sang-uoc-mo-tuoi-tre-tam-ky-tu-nhung-ngoi-nha-tinh-ban-3154807.html