Since being founded in 2011, a Da Nang-based group, entitled ‘Tay Yeu Thuong’ (Loving Hands), has actively engaged in appealing for donations from organisations and individual from both home and abroad to organise numerous charitable activities across the city.

The group’s members and AO-affected victims at a charitable programme

In addition to helping local Agent Orange (AO)-affected children, the group’s members have given free coach tickets to poor workers whose hometowns are in other localities nationwide.  These recipients could not afford to return to their homes to celebrate Tet with their families.

Also, hundreds of million VND has been raised from generous philanthropists all over the world to assist child patients in the city’s Cancer Hospital.

On the 25^th day of each month, the group’s members visit and present lovely gifts to  AO-affected children who are being cared for at Shelter No 1 of the municipal Care Centre for AO Victims and Disadvantaged Children.

The shelter’s children are usually very happy and excited to welcome the visiting guests, and especially to play, sing and chat with them.  Meanwhile, through their visit, the group’s members have the opportunity to understand more about the difficulties of AO victims and learn how to share their sympathy and love with the disadvantaged people.

Despite their serious disabilities, the disadvantaged children here are very actively engaged in delightful singing and dancing performances, as well as in painting and making craft items, which really surprise the visiting guests.

Apart from such regular visits, the group’s members usually organise many interesting programmes for local AO-affected children on Mid-Autumn Festival (15^th of 8^th lunar month), the International Children Day (1 June), and other special occasions.

Recently, thanks to financial aid from generous overseas Vietnamese people, 100 local AO-affected children enjoyed unforgettable trips to the Sun World Ba Na Hills and delicious meals at a local 5-star restaurant. 

Interestingly, at the invitation of the group, Michal Sindelar, who is a professional magician and an illusionist from Czech Republic, visited the beautiful seaside city and offered wonderful performances free-of-charge to these disadvantaged children.

33-year-old local resident Tran Thi Hien Trang, the group’s leader, expressed her strong desire that whole community would make greater efforts to relieve the mental and physical pain of those affected by AO - a bitter legacy of the war, and make a difference in the lives of the disadvantaged.

To mark the national day for AO victims (10 August), gifts totalling 30 million VND, funded by the Da Nang Radio and Television (DRT), were given to local AO-affected children on Wednesday.  This was part of a series of charitable events to help AO victims across the city on the occasion of their day.