For Lao students in Da Nang, their adoptive mothers are not only their 'second mothers' but also a family and a solid fulcrum during their studying abroad journey.

Lao students visit and give Tet gifts to Mrs. Phan Thi Thiep (first right). Photo: H.H

Love between adoptive mothers and daughters

During the 4-day break for National Day holiday (September 2), the small house of Mrs. Phan Thi Thiep in Hoa Khanh Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, was full of laughter because of the presence of her Lao adopted children. From early in the morning, the Lao students gathered at Mrs. Thiep's house to make Vietnamese cakes and cook some traditional Lao dishes. This is a regular activity of the family of Mrs. Thiep and her adopted children on weekends, holidays, Tet or birthdays.

In March 2019, the Hoa Khanh Nam War chapter of the Da Nang Women’s Union deployed the first edition of the ‘Second mother’ programme, aiming to give assistance and take care of Lao students studying in Da Nang. It saw the participation of 11 members involved in taking care of 22 Lao students. And Mrs. Thiep was one of 11 the 'godmothers'.

Chanthamixay Pala, a student of the Faculty of Computer Science at the Viet Nam-Korea Information Technology and Communications University, said that in the first days of staying in Viet Nam, she was timid and afraid to speak because she was not good at Vietnamese.

Since being adopted by Mrs. Thiep, Chanthamixay Pala has gradually become bolder in communication. Every time, she uses wrong Vietnamese words, Mrs. Thiep graciously explains to help her remember better.

With Chanthamixay Pala, Mrs. Thiep is not only a kind mother but also a 'teacher' who helps her improve Vietnamese better day by day.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2022, Chanthamixay Pala did not return home, Mrs. Thiep invited her to celebrate the traditional Vietnamese Tet festival with her family members. Chanthamixay Pala was taken to buy 'ao dai' and new clothes, teach her to wrap 'banh chung', cook Quang noodles and make 'banh xeo', as well as take her to visit many famous tourist attractions citywide.

Chanthamixay Pala confided “My mother Thiep always loves and takes care of me like her biological child. Thanks to her support, I can overcome homesickness and study with peace of mind".

Mrs Tran Thi Nguyen, residing in Hoa Khanh Nam Ward, and her husband are both retired, whilst all of their three children have settled down leading to the emptiness at home. Therefore, both of them registered for joining the 'second mother' model immediately to respond to the call of the Women's Union (WU).

"Every weekend, my whole family is filled with laughter when Lao nationals gather together. At first, there were surprises and difficulties, but we now consider three Lao students as our family members. Not only that, two families in two countries Viet Nam - Laos have become close relatives and kept in contact regularly via our children's bond," said Mrs Nguyen.

It's fun, but from here, Mrs. Nguyen and her husband have dozens of unnamed jobs of a mother and father from teaching Lao children to ride motorbikes, taking care of them when they are sick, and helping them overcome homesickness.

Especially, in two years of 2020 and 2021, like other mothers, Mrs. Nguyen was busy going to the market, and supporting food, medicine and essential supplies, for Lao students living in university dormitories, as well as appealing for more food donation for her children.

Mrs. Tran Thi Nguyen (middle) and Lao students often gather to cook traditional dishes of the two countries. Photo: H.H

Maintaining 'second mother' model

In July 2022, the Hoa Khanh Nam Ward chapter of the municipal Women’s Union launched the ‘Second mother’ model at its second stage with the involvement of 13 families providing assistance for 26 Lao students studying at the University of Education - University of Da Nang.

These Laotian children can participate in cultural, arts and sports activities organised by the ward’s Women's Union organisation. From there, they have had the opportunity to improve Vietnamese language, as well as learn about customs, habits and typical culture of Da Nang and Viet Nam as a whole.

In an effort to help Lao students improve their Vietnamese skills and better understand about the country's traditional customs, on weekends, holidays or Tet, such mothers often organise reunion parties and call their Lao children back home. This is an opportunity for Lao student to exchange and learn about traditional culture of Vietnamese people.

Notably, the Women's Union chapter in Hoa Khanh Nam Ward supported necessities totalling nearly VND50 million, as well as donated nearly 500kg of vegetables and fruits to Lao students stuck in the city due to COVID-19.

Deepening Viet Nam - Laos friendship

Chairwoman of the Lien Chieu District chapter of the municipal Women's Union Nguyen Thi Thanh said that at the time of launching the 'Second Mother' model, the Women's Union and its chapters citywide expressed their worries about the efficiency of the model because this is not only a simple social movement but also an international diplomatic activity with.

It is good news that the model has received special attention and participation of a large number of Lao women and students. The adoptive families consider Lao students as their biological children. Meanwhile, Lao students really consider their adoptive mothers as their second family and a solid spiritual fulcrum in the days of being away from home.

In her remarks at the ‘Second mother’ exchange programme between Da Nang women and Lao students in Hoa Khanh Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, in July, President of the Lao Women's Union Inlavan Keobounphan deeply thanked the 'second mothers' of Lao students in Da Nang for loving, supporting, and wholeheartedly helping children who are not of the same bloodline.

Ms. Inlavan Keobounphan affirmed that the model is one of the diplomatic activities full of compassion, gratitude, practicality and especially meaningfullness to mark the 60^th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam-Laos diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962 - 2022).

It can be affirmed that the 'second mother' model is not only an ordinary charity activity but has become a diplomatic bridge between the two localities, thereby helping to tighten the friendship and solidarity between Viet Nam and Laos, and contributing to building the good image of the country, and Vietnamese people's humanity and gratitude in the eyes of international friends.

Reporting by HUY HOANG - Translating by M.DUNG