Springtime filled with affection

The sun shines golden like poured honey. The wind blows strongly, carrying the sweet chill of the changing seasons. Spring comes not only from the earth and sky but also from the hearts of people. At the end of the year, on every road leading to the countryside, streams of people hurry back and forth, excitedly celebrating the traditional Lunar New Year.

At this time, all levels, sectors, localities, units, socio- political organizations, businesses, and philanthropists in the province are focusing on mobilizing all resources and working together to organize activities to care for the poor and those with particularly difficult circumstances during Tet... ensuring that everyone and every family can enjoy a warm and happy Spring Festival and Tet.

Leaders of the Provincial Red Cross Society, along with sponsors, presented Tet gifts to children at the SOS Children's Village in Viet Tri.

The beauty of brotherhood

The year 2024 was marked by numerous difficulties and challenges due to the continued complex developments in the global situation; although domestic economic growth achieved relatively good results, many challenges remained; prices of goods, services, materials, and production supplies fluctuated significantly, impacting investment efficiency, production and business operations, and people's consumption levels... In addition, many localities in the province were severely affected by typhoon number 3.

Under those circumstances, the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee focused on leading and directing Party committees, governments, the Fatherland Front, political and social organizations, and the people to implement comprehensive solutions to promote socio-economic development. Activities to care for and assist the poor, from the provincial level to the grassroots, continued to attract the participation of the entire society.

In particular, during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake (2015), Party committees, government agencies, political and social organizations, the business community, and philanthropists have been carrying out many activities to care for policy beneficiaries and people with particularly difficult circumstances... so that everyone can celebrate the Spring Festival and enjoy the New Year in a complete and meaningful way.

In accordance with Plan No. 264 dated November 8, 2024, of the Vietnam Red Cross Central Committee on the implementation of the "Compassionate Tet" movement for the Year of the Snake - 2025, and under the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial Red Cross Society has developed Plan No. 32 dated November 14, 2024, on the implementation of the "Compassionate Tet" movement for the Year of the Snake 2025.

Accordingly, the various levels of the Association advised, proposed, and issued a plan to implement the Movement to the Association's organizations and affiliated units; and issued official letters and invitations to solicit support from organizations, individuals, and philanthropists. The Association proactively coordinated with relevant agencies to accurately survey needs, compile lists, and develop plans to mobilize support from organizations and individuals during the Tet holiday.

In addition to giving gifts and New Year greetings directly, the Provincial Association organized a series of "Humanitarian Tet Markets" and "New Year Service Shops" through a voucher exchange model at humanitarian Tet markets. They also mobilized support for building and repairing houses; donating health insurance cards; donating wheelchairs; providing humanitarian medical examinations and treatment; and donating trees and livestock.

Ms. Le Thi Quynh Trang, Chairwoman of the Provincial Red Cross Society, stated: "Taking care of poor households, near-poor households, households with difficult circumstances, households with people affected by Agent Orange, people with disabilities, patients with difficult circumstances suffering from serious illnesses, and households affected by natural disasters in 2024... is a special focus of the Provincial Red Cross Society. Starting from mid-November 2024, Red Cross branches at all levels actively mobilized social funding to provide Tet gifts. To date, the entire province has mobilized and assisted 29,886 households with difficult circumstances with gifts worth nearly 16 billion VND." The Red Cross Society of the province mobilized and organized a voluntary blood donation program at Hung Vuong University, receiving 1,250 units of blood, making a significant contribution to resolving the blood shortage for emergency and treatment purposes at hospitals during the Lunar New Year... In addition, the provincial Red Cross Society raised over 1.5 billion VND to support the construction of 28 humanitarian houses, which will be handed over before the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake.

The Provincial Association for the Support of Disabled People and Orphans, along with sponsors, presented Tet gifts to policy beneficiary households in Yen Lap district.

Awakening compassion...!

Many of us look forward to Tet (Lunar New Year) to reunite with family, rest, and have fun after a year of hard work, but there are also many who don't look forward to Tet at all, and may even worry more than usual... because they don't earn enough to eat and wear, due to illness, or because poverty has plagued them all year round.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh (born in 1980), residing in Tien Cat Ward, Viet Tri City, faces exceptionally difficult circumstances. Her husband passed away, and she works as a construction laborer to support her five young children, two of whom are disabled. Sharing in the hardships of Ms. Minh's family, this year the Provincial Association for the Support of Disabled People and Orphans selected her family to receive Tet gifts. This gift, imbued with compassion and sharing, aims to provide Ms. Minh's family with further motivation to overcome their challenges.

Ms. Hoang Thi Chi Thanh, Vice President of the Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans, stated: Identifying the organization of activities to support and assist people with disabilities, orphans, and the poor in the province as one of the important tasks, especially during the Lunar New Year, the Standing Committee of the Association has proactively mobilized businesses, agencies, and units to participate in support and assistance activities organized by the Association; appealed for support through mass media, sent out open letters to solicit donations, and organized various activities.

To date, the Association has mobilized 903 gift packages, each worth from 300,000 VND to 1,000,000 VND, including 100 packages for orphaned students and disabled children from disadvantaged backgrounds. These gifts demonstrate the care, sharing, and support of those working in welfare and various organizations, businesses, and philanthropists who wish to contribute a small part of their labor to help those in difficult circumstances celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year more fully and warmly.

Leaders of Sacombank - Phu Tho Branch assist elderly people in receiving Tet gifts.

Accompanying Sacombank - Phu Tho Branch in distributing Tet gifts to poor and disadvantaged households in Cam Khe town, Cam Khe district; Bao Yen commune, Thanh Thuy district; and seriously ill patients in difficult circumstances at Phu Tho Mental Hospital, we clearly felt the warm atmosphere and sincere affection through firm handshakes, words of encouragement, and thoughtful sharing. The spiritual and material care from Sacombank - Phu Tho Branch helps the poor and disadvantaged feel warmer as the new year approaches.

Holding the gift presented by the leaders of Sacombank - Phu Tho Branch, Ms. Hoang Thi Loan from Quang Trung area, Cam Khe town, Cam Khe district, shared: “My husband passed away early due to illness, my only son unfortunately lost a leg in an accident, my daughter-in-law suffers from a neurological disorder, and my two grandchildren are still young and of school age. The daily life of my family is still mainly supported by me, relying on nearly 3 acres of rice fields and hat weaving... therefore, the family is always facing difficulties. Now, with the care and attention from the Party, the State, the local government, and businesses, I am very happy. This is a source of encouragement and motivation for us to strive to overcome difficulties and aim for a better future.”

Many families still face various difficulties. Therefore, every time Tet (Lunar New Year) comes around, they cannot hide their joy when they receive help. Each Tet gift donated by organizations and individuals is a token of kindness, helping them to celebrate Tet more fully.

Joining hands to care for the Lunar New Year for policy beneficiaries and those in difficult circumstances through various appropriate and practical forms. This meaningful effort has been and continues to have a positive impact, contributing to the Party Committee and government at all levels in the province's efforts to effectively implement social welfare policies and uphold the traditional moral principle of "the strong helping the weak," contributing to building a more developed, civilized, prosperous, and beautiful homeland.

Anh Tho

Source: https://baophutho.vn/xuan-tham-an-tinh-226738.htm