Over recent years, Da Nang has seen the effective implementation of numerous charitable programmes and activities to help local disadvantaged people.  In particular, the lives of some poor people, even those from elsewhere in the central region, have been dramatically improved thanks to the ‘golden hearts’ of local philanthropists.

Ms Ha (centre) with happy smile

Nine years ago, Ms Mai Thi Ha from Quang Nam Province’s Dai Loc District was admitted to Da Nang’s Hoan My Hospital due to exhaustion, weight loss, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.

Ms Ha was very shocked when she was diagnosed with a life threatening heart disease, and she required immediate heart surgery which would cost 70 million VND.  Due to their difficult situation, Hoa’s family could not afford to pay for her operation. 

Fortunately, doctors from the hospital introduced Ms Hoa to the late local journalist Dang Ngoc Khoa, the founder of the ACE Thien Van charity group in Da Nang. 

The group raised money from generous local donors to fund surgery for Ms Ha, and also for 2 other women from the province’s Phu Ninh District.

Ms Ha underwent the challenging but successful surgery, and her health recovered well.  Having been discharged from the hospital, she returned to her hometown and continued making her living as a farmer to support her family and bring up her children.

Another disadvantaged person, Mr Tran Minh Hoang from Da Nang’s Hoa Vang District, recalled his family’s unforgettable hardships as he was suffering from physical and mental pains after an unfortunate accident. 

He was bed-ridden all day long due to a painful spinal stenosis and neck fractures.  His inability to earn money to support his family made Mr Hoang feel very sad and fretful.   He had to regularly attend hospital for treatment, and his wife had to shoulder the burden of caring for him and their school-aged children.  

Luckily, the couple now feel much happier because they have started receiving financial aid of 2 million VND per month thanks to generous local donors.  Mr Hoang explained that the donated money is mostly spent on covering the tuition fees of his children and his own treatment costs.