"We not only receive new clothes, lucky money, jam and cakes while celebrating Tet here, but also have warmest feelings as we receive the love and affection from a big family." Truong Thi Ai Phuong, 18, living in the Hoa Mai Orphanage Centre located in Hoa Quy Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District excitedly said as Tet is nearing.

Children at Hoa Mai Orphanage Center preparing ingredients to make ‘Banh Chung’ (square glutinous rice cake) and ‘Banh Tet (cylindrical sticky rice cake). Photo: X.HAU

Understanding and sharing

Phuong has lived in the Hoa Mai Orphanage Centre for more than 12 years as her father passed away when she was just 2 years old while her mother was sick and could not afford to raise her 5 children. She said that she received loving arms care from the centre’s staff and enjoyed Tet atmosphere filled with love after living in this centre.

Days leading up to Tet are the busiest but happiest time of staff and children at the Hoa Mai Orphanage Centre as the preparations for Tet are undertaken in the centre. The centre’s staff along with 30 orphans living here are busy cleaning to prepare for Tet.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Linh, the Centre’s Director, remarked that the centre's goal is not only to provide good care for orphans for Tet, but also to create a family atmosphere where they receive love and affection from the centre’s staff, and they are free to express their opinions and feelings. Linh is an orphan who grew up in this centre, so she always understands orphans and gives them a lot of love.

“These days leading to Tet, those who work or study away from their home want to return home to celebrate Tet with their families and relatives. Therefore, meeting with relatives for orphans who are unable to return to their hometowns to light straight incense sticks to pay respects to their deceased parents on this special occasion is a great joy and encouragement for them. The centre always prepares gifts and facilitates them to visit their relatives," said Linh.

Feeling the warmth of family

Meanwhile, children at the Orphanage Centre located in Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District under the Da Nang Red Cross Society cannot hide their happiness as Tet is approaching.

Tran Thu Ha, 17, shared: “I am very happy when Tet comes as I am given new clothes and lucky money by mother Nhi. We decorate the center to prepare for Tet, as well as gather together to sing and dance to celebrate Tet. We are really happy to have moms here as they help us ease the feeling of homesickness. However, my desire is to be able to celebrate Tet with my father and mother."

Mrs. Tran Thi Nhi, the director of the Orphanage Center, who has spent 22 years taking care of orphans, and loving them as her own children. Currently, the center is taking care of 13 children age birth to 16 years.

Ms. Tran Thi Chi , a resident of Que Son Commune, Quang Nam Province, who has worked as an nanny at the centre for 15 years, remarked " I always stay at the center to celebrate Lunar New Year’s Eve, and Tet on the first and second days of the first Lunar month with the orphans here. I want to stay with them to celebrate Lunar New Year’s Eve to help them feel love and happiness on this special occasion"

Ms. Nhi said that the center has raised VND 771 million from benefactors to buy diapers, milk, new clothes, and cakes to bring a joyful Tet to orphans.

 “Any child looks forwards Tet with new clothes and wants to be taken by their parents to pay visits to their grandparents. I try my best to help my unfortunate children overcome the feeling of homesickness with a mother's love. We try to help them celebrate Tet in a cozy atmosphere in an effort to help them feel the warmth of family," Nhi said.

Reporting by XUAN HAU – THIEN AN – Translating by H.L