Warm Spring for Orphaned Children

Even without a father or mother by their side, the Lunar New Year for orphaned and disadvantaged children in the province is still filled with warmth from the hearts of their foster mothers. These second mothers understand and share their burdens...

Chairwoman of the Provincial Women's Union, Luong Thi Hanh, presents gifts and chats with orphaned children.

Filling the emotional void

Although Tet (Lunar New Year) is a time for family reunion, many orphans in the province are left without a father or mother to love and comfort them. Their wish is, "To have a place to return to, that is home. To have people to love, that is family. To have both, that is happiness," but not everyone can have it. The lack of maternal love is compensated by the miraculous presence of strangers with warm, loving hearts.

The Chairwoman of the Provincial Women's Union, Luong Thi Hanh; Godmother Nguyen Thi Hong Lien; and other participating organizations presented gifts and encouraged Nguyen Tan Tai at his home.

Nguyen Tan Tai, from Bua village, Ngoc Lien commune, is in a particularly difficult situation. Tai lost his father at the age of 4 and his mother at the age of 6. Since then, he has lived with his elderly maternal grandparents. In 2022, during a visit to his paternal grandparents' home, his maternal grandfather unfortunately had an accident and became bedridden. Upon learning of Tai's plight, in 2022, Da Lan Joint Stock Company sponsored him as one of 10 disadvantaged orphaned children in the former Ngoc Lac district, providing 500,000 VND per month until he turns 18. At least twice a year, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Lien, Director of Da Lan Joint Stock Company and President of the Provincial Women Entrepreneurs Association, visits to encourage, give gifts, and provide financial support for the children's upbringing.

Despite years without the warmth of his parents' presence, Tài never stopped missing them. Instead, he always strived to excel in his studies to show his gratitude to his parents, grandparents, and godmother who raised him. He consistently achieved excellent grades every school year. Last semester, he was at the top of his class. He is currently in 12th grade at Ngọc Lặc Ethnic Boarding High School and dreams of studying mathematics education. On the eve of the Lunar New Year of the Horse, his mother, Liên, along with a delegation from the Provincial Women's Union, visited Tài's home to give him gifts and encourage him as he prepares for this important exam, a turning point in his life.

These children didn't get to choose where they were born, but in return, they received the compassion and love of those around them, of the community. These days, the foster mothers – collectives from agencies, organizations, and philanthropists – have shown care, shared, visited, and supported orphaned and disadvantaged children, helping them celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) in a more meaningful and warm way. Even without the presence of their parents, Tet for these orphaned children is still filled with love. They still receive warmth and affection from the loving hearts of these "strangers" who have become part of their family – their foster fathers and mothers.

Warm family feelings

Early in the morning, groups of godmothers in the communes of Dong Thanh, Ngoc Trao, Kim Tan, Hau Loc, etc., were busy going to the children's homes to inform them once again that they should come to the commune's cultural center to receive Tet gifts and sponsorship funds from benefactors and sponsoring organizations.

Each month, association officials regularly visit to encourage and monitor the children's situation, assist with housework, arrange schooling, etc., creating a structured daily routine and fostering independence. The association's foster mother groups always connect with and mobilize support for the children, providing clothing, necessities, books, household items, and monthly financial assistance.

The Provincial Women's Union, partner organizations, and Dong Thanh commune presented gifts to orphaned and disadvantaged children in the commune.

With a deep commitment to orphans, Ms. Do Thi Huyen, President of the Women's Union of Hau Loc commune, shared: "These children are very pitiful. Since the Provincial Women's Union organized the foster mother program, the women have always tried their best to help as much as they can. Everyone has tried to contribute by mobilizing benevolent hearts, and also providing support with whatever they can, so the results have been as expected. No orphaned child has had to drop out of school, and some children have even been sponsored until adulthood."

That love, those warm embraces, and those comforting hearts have somewhat warmed those wounded by cruel fate. At this age, these children need love and protection to develop fully. And like a connecting thread, they have found their second mothers.

The Women's Union of Yen Truong commune presented Tet gifts to underprivileged orphans.

From connecting and sponsoring 30 orphaned children due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the Provincial Women's Union has directed a review and identified more than 5,300 orphaned children with particularly difficult circumstances who need help due to various reasons. Of these, more than 2,300 children have been connected and sponsored by the Union, with an annual budget of approximately 6 billion VND.

Women's associations at all levels in the province have established 680 "Godmother" groups, directly and indirectly involving associations, agencies, businesses, and philanthropists who care about and support orphaned children through various forms and levels of support ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND per child. Some organizations provide sponsorship until the children reach 18 years of age. Notable examples include: Tien Nong Agricultural and Industrial Joint Stock Company, Dai Dung Construction and Trading Mechanical Joint Stock Company, Long Son Cement Company, Anh Phat Corporation, the Provincial Police Women's Association, and the Provincial Women Entrepreneurs Association...

Growth through gratitude

Losing loved ones has left these children in a state of poverty and uncertainty. But the sharing and love, both material and spiritual, from their foster mothers has helped these orphaned children, like sunflowers, reach for the sun. They have become more confident and self-assured, and understand that they must strive to study hard so as not to disappoint their mothers' expectations.

Orphaned children in difficult circumstances were delighted to receive Tet gifts.

The two sisters, Le Luc Phuong Linh and Le Nhat Minh, residing at Hac Oa 2 Street, Ham Rong Ward, are in a particularly difficult situation and are fortunate to have been sponsored by Tang Phuc Pagoda since 2022, receiving 12 million VND per year in support.

Linh and Nhật are two sisters who lost their mother, and their father is frequently ill and unemployed. For a poor family like theirs, this sponsorship is like a "lifeline," helping the two sisters reach their dreams. It seemed unlikely they would ever go to school, or that only one of them would, but for the past four years, Linh and Nhật have been able to attend school together like their peers, continuing to pursue their dreams and their parents' hopes. This year, Linh is in 11th grade and her brother is in 9th grade, both achieving good academic results. This warms the hearts of their "godmother" and the organization, as it shows they have connected with and given love to the right people, spreading a spirit of compassion.

Bui Thi Luong, born in 2007 in Quang Ich 1 village, Tho Lap commune, is an orphan. Each month, she receives 500,000 VND from her foster mothers at the Provincial Police Inspection Department. This has given her renewed faith, hope, and determination to overcome challenges. She has overcome difficulties and is now a first-year university student. She was selected to participate in the "Summer Camp of Love" organized by the Ministry of Public Security , the "Sunflower Welcoming the Sun" program organized by the Provincial Women's Union; she also participated in the delegation of children congratulating the 8th Congress of the Party Committee of the Central Public Security Ministry and had the honor of presenting flowers to General Secretary To Lam and leaders of the Ministry of Public Security.

In addition, there are orphaned children who have strived to overcome difficulties and achieve good academic results, such as: Nguyen Thi Tram Oanh, Ham Rong ward; Nguyen Thi Duyen and Nguyen Van Hai, Tho Xuan commune; Nguyen Ha My, Nong Cong commune; Vu Thanh Thuy, Tong Son commune; Bui Thi Kim Yen, Thuong Ninh commune...

Comrade Bui Thi Mai Hoan, Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union, shared: "There have been cases of orphaned children being adopted by companies and businesses after graduating from university or vocational training; many children have strived to overcome difficulties, excelled in their studies, and been admitted to the Party while still in school... This is not only the result of their efforts, but also the fruit of human kindness and trust sown at the right time, helping the children grow and build a brighter future."

Le Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/xuan-am-tre-em-mo-coi-278509.htm