Mr Ho Hoang Liem, residing in An Hai Bac Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang has enthusiastically participated in volunteer activities organized by the Da Nang Youth Union since he was a student of Duy Tan University in 2009. With his vivacious and energetic nature and not being afraid of difficulties or suffering, he has experienced many trips and has been aware of numerous difficult circumstances. Since then, he has been predestined and chosen to stick with charitable activities. He also founded the ‘Da Nang Pink Smile’ volunteer group together with like-minded people to extend his help to needy people.

Ho Hoang Liem (3rd, right, back row) and members of the Da Nang Pink Smile group sent warm clothes to children in the highlands. Photo courtesy by Mr Liem

The members of the group were mostly students when it was first established, so the group organized fundraising programmmes such as selling sweets, flowers on holidays, music performances to raise funds for disadvantaged people in the city or in remote areas of Quang Nam Province such as Dong Giang, Tay Giang and Nam Tra My.

Fortunately, the group has gradually developed and spread more material and spiritual values. In addition to the companionship of like-minded members and local sponsors, the group has also been supported by three American volunteer groups namely 7dayhero, TongueOut and NVTK – Tamkyproject.

Over the past few years, Liem's volunteer group has organized a host of effective and meaningful activities such as visiting single or sick elderly people, newborn babies suffering heart disease at the Da Nang Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital; supporting the purchase of equipment and rehabilitation tools at orphanages and centres for the disabled in Da Nang and Quang Nam; free eye surgery for the poor at the Tam Tri Da Nang Hospital, the Tam Ky General Hospital in Quang Nam and the Khanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital.

During tough days fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Liem was still engrossed in volunteer activities. From August 17 to August 28, 2021 Liem's group provided about 500 to 700 basic necessities including rice, eggs, vegetables, tubers for needy people daily at the intersection of Ho Nghinh - Nguyen Cong Tru, Son Tra District. In the spirit of upholding safety for members and sharing with the community, the group always adhered to regulations on the pandemic prevention and control.

In recent days, Ho Hoang Liem and members of the ‘Da Nang Pink Smile’ group have been busy buying and giving away 4,000 new warm clothes following the plan of the "Warm highland clothes" programme in Quang Ngai, Kon Tum, Nam Tra My. Last December, the group had already given 1,000 warm clothes to children in Huong Hoa, Quang Tri Province.

In the coming time, the group will have a plan to support single families, and present gifts to extremely difficult circumstances during the Tet holiday. Apart from that, the group also plan to carry projectors, speakers to the highlands to bring films to the children here so that they have the opportunity to access cinema, the internet.

Reporting by THU HA- Translating by T.VY