The programme " Become a patroness" implemented by the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Women's Union (WU) has been effectively followed by the Da Nang WU at all levels.

Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang Women's Union Nguyen Thi Huyen (left) hands over funds to support orphans during the Lunar New Year 2022. Photo: L.P

The units have been supporting and nurturing dozens of orphans due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or other causes, creating conditions for them to study and develop comprehensively.

In August 2021, Vo Ba Toan's father, residing in Thac Gian Ward, Thanh Khe District unfortunately tested positive with COVID-19 and died shortly while working in Binh Dinh Province. Ms Nguyen Thi Ai Nhan has strived for all kinds of jobs from maid to delivery to raise her two children after a tough time overcoming the pain of losing her husband. In the same trouble, Ngo Thi Na, a native of Hoa Chau Commune, Hoa Vang District, and her siblings currently live with their elderly grandmother since their parents both passed away, but life is also very difficult. These are two typical cases sponsored and nurtured by the City Women's Union.

According to the Vice President of the city's WU Nguyen Thi Huyen, the whole city currently has 1,518 orphans, including 125 ones in extreme circumstances and 15 ones who lost their parents due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pain and loss of their loved ones leave a large number of children in a helpless situation and severely affected psychologically. Therefore, they do need the attention and support from the whole society to learn and develop comprehensively," said Ms Huyen.

At the beginning of January 2022, the city’s WU issued a plan to implement the " Become a patroness " programme for the 2022 – 2026 period, to mobilize cadres, women members, organizations and individuals to sponsor, support, care and nurture orphans.

This highly meaningful programme aims to create conditions for unfortunate children to develop in a family and community environment, contributing to ensuring children's rights in accordance with the law.

Accordingly, the units at all levels have actively reviewed and registered to sponsor 100 orphans citywide in tandem with deploying numerous meaningful and practical activities demonstrating the role and responsibility of a "mother" in sponsoring and taking care of orphans

In mid-January 2022, all levels of Hai Chau District WU have registered to sponsor 32 orphans as well as provide financial support to them.

Similarly, the Lien Chieu District WU has also mobilized and given gifts with a total cost of VND 10 million to 10 orphans having extreme circumstances. In Cam Le District, the WU has also sponsored 12 orphans.

The municipal WU has already targeted to ensure that 100% of orphans due to COVID-19 and other causes with extreme circumstances are eligible to have a “patroness” in 2022 and strive to have at least 100 orphans cared for by the WU at all levels.

By 2023, localities, units and associations can register to sponsor more orphans depending on their suitable conditions. It is targeted that 100% of the Women's Unions of wards and communes citywide will be guaranteed to sponsor at least 1 child per locality by the end of 2026.

At the same time, it is necessary to encourage women's associations to sponsor orphans living in residential areas or other localities in the city.  They can sponsor one or more children at the same time with minimum support of VND 500,000/child/month in order to join hands with the family to take care of them adequately, creating conditions for the children to grow up and develop effectively.

Reporting by LAM PHUONG- Translating by T.VY