From makeshift shelter to dream home

Amidst the struggle for survival, with the meager wages of factory workers, the dream of owning a sturdy house was once very distant for many union members and laborers. However, thanks to the support of the Trade Union and the Golden Heart Charity Fund, many disadvantaged workers have gradually realized their dream of owning a home. The donated "Trade Union Homes" not only provide them with stable housing but also instill confidence and motivation to overcome difficulties, work with peace of mind, and build a better future.

Settling down after months of hardship.

In her new, sturdy house in Quyet Thang 2 neighborhood, Khanh Hau ward, Ms. Nguyen Thi Le still vividly remembers the time when her whole family lived in an old house that was lower than the road level, and every rainy season they feared leaks and flooding.

Ms. Le has worked at Tien Ve Co., Ltd. for 28 years. Life is still difficult; her husband, Mr. Nguyen Huu Danh, works as a barber and also drives a motorbike taxi to earn extra income. The money they earn is barely enough to cover living expenses and pay for their two children's education. Meanwhile, their eldest son is unfortunately deaf and mute and suffers from epilepsy, requiring him to take medication year-round.

The cost of medical treatment and medication has made an already difficult life even harder. Their house has been in serious disrepair for many years, but the couple still can't afford to repair it. "Sometimes when it rains heavily, water floods the house, and we have to move our belongings to higher ground. The roof leaks, but my husband and I don't know what to do," Ms. Le recounted.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Le's family lives warmly and happily in their sturdy house.

The joy came when the local trade union supported her family with 50 million VND to build a "Trade Union Shelter." With that support, plus additional borrowed money, her family was able to have a new, sturdy house. Nearly two years have passed since they moved into their new home, but whenever she talks about it, Ms. Le is still moved. To many, it might just be a small, ordinary house, but for her family, it was a dream come true.

The family of Ms. Ho Thi Duyen, residing in Binh An neighborhood, Khanh Hau ward, also faced many difficulties living in a temporary house on land given to them by relatives. She works as a factory worker at TexRay (VN) Co., Ltd. in the Loi Binh Nhon Industrial Cluster, while her husband works as a laborer with an unstable income, making their family life even more challenging. With their two children entering university, the financial burden has only increased.

It is known that their eldest daughter is in her final year of university, while their son has just started his first year. The couple mainly uses their earnings to support their children's education, hoping they will have a better future than their parents. Therefore, their house has been in serious disrepair for many years, and they haven't been able to repair it yet.

Ms. Ho Thi Duyen was delighted to receive gifts and attention on the occasion of the handover ceremony of her Trade Union Shelter home.

Ms. Duyen shared: “Two years ago, my family received 50 million VND in support to build a 'Union's Shelter'. With that support, my husband and I borrowed more money to build a sturdy house. On the day we moved into our new house, I was so happy I couldn't sleep all night. Now, our family life is much more stable than before. My husband and I can work with peace of mind to provide for our two children's education. Every day when I come home from work and see the new, clean house, no longer dilapidated, I have even more motivation to stay committed to my job after more than two decades as a factory worker.”

Homes filled with love and affection.

The "Union Shelter Home" program has become a lifeline for many union members in difficult circumstances. These houses, though not large, were built with the sharing and affection of the trade union organization for the workers.

According to the Management Board of the Golden Heart Charity Fund Branch, in 2025, the program disbursed funds to build 78 "Union Homes" for union members and workers facing housing difficulties both within and outside the province, working in various units and enterprises. Each house provided means one more family relieved of housing worries, and one more worker with stable living conditions to feel secure in their work and committed to their unit or enterprise.

The Trade Union Shelter Home Construction Support Program has become a lifeline for many union members facing housing difficulties.

Ms. Nguyen Hy Khuong (residing in Thu Khoa Thua 3 hamlet, Thu Thua commune), one of the union members who received support for a "Union's Warm Home," shared: "Previously, my family longed for a sturdy house to stabilize our lives, but our economic conditions did not allow it. When the Union supported us in building a house, my family was very happy. Having a solid house is a great happiness for my husband and me. This is a motivation for me to continue working hard and ensuring my children receive a proper education."

In addition to housing support, the Golden Heart Charity Fund also implements many activities to care for union members and workers in difficult circumstances, such as supporting those with serious illnesses, work accidents, and those affected by natural disasters and fires; providing care during the Lunar New Year and Workers' Month... Through these activities, the trade union organization continues to affirm its role as a partner to workers.

Despite the difficulties in mobilizing resources and disbursing funds due to the merger of trade union organizations between Long An and Tay Ninh provinces, the work of caring for union members and workers is still maintained with a spirit of responsibility and sharing. In 2026, the program is expected to continue building 22 "Trade Union Shelters," each supported with 70 million VND, for union members and workers facing housing difficulties.

These charitable houses, built through the joint efforts of trade unions, businesses, and the community, not only provide union members and workers with stable housing but also instill confidence in them to overcome difficulties, persevere in their work, and build a better future for their families. For many workers, after years of hard work, the greatest happiness is sometimes simply having a sturdy roof over their heads to weather the storms of life.

These charitable houses, built through the joint efforts of trade unions, businesses, and the community, not only provide union members and workers with stable housing but also instill confidence in them to overcome difficulties, persevere in their work, and build a better future for their families.

Ngoc Man

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/tu-nha-tam-bo-den-can-nha-mo-uoc-148047.html