A program to build charity houses launched by the Da Nang Association for Supporting Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children has helped build new houses for poor women in a bid to improve their living conditions, as well as help them through hardships, and bring stability to their lives. These positive results have been attributed to joint efforts by social organizations and philanthropists.

Mrs. Vu Thi Quang and her younger brother happily received more than VND 60 million in funding from the Da Nang Lottery Company Limited to rebuild their house. Photo: T.A

Mrs. Vu Thi Quang, 78, and her younger brother, Mr. Vu Van Phuong, 63, are examples that have enjoyed benefits from this program. They lived in an about 36m² degraded house located at 528/9 on Ong Ich Khiem Street, Hai Chau 2 Ward, Hai Chau District. Their house which was built several decades ago, suffered from leaks during  heavy rainfall events, while their house's walls showed evident signs of wear over time. Both of them are unmarried and lean on each other to navigate life's challenges.

To earn their living, Ms. Quang sells lottery tickets on the city’s streets while Mr. Phuong works as a bricklayer. Both of them had a desire to renovate their degraded house so as to prevent leakages during heavy rain and strong wind events.

In its effort to support them, the Da Nang Association for Supporting Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children called for cash donation worth VND 60 million from the Da Nang Lottery Company Limited to repair their house.

To reduce his house construction cost, Mr. Phuong took on the task of personally refurbishing his house, incorporating a mezzanine space, and completed construction by early December 2023.

"We are deeply grateful to the Da Nang Association for Supporting Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children and donators for their generous support and for providing our family the opportunity to live in a solid house. We are no longer worried about leaks during heavy rainfall or strong wind events," shared Ms. Quang.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh, the Chairwoman of the Hai Chau Chapter, revealed that in 2023, the district raised VND 100 million from local organizations and individuals to help 59 year-old Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam’s family build a new house located at 149/57 on Ly Tu Trong Street. Ms. Tam, who lives with her unmarried younger brother 50 year-old Nguyen Thanh Phu, is living in poverty and suffers from frequent sickness.

In 2024, the District will call for cash donation from local organizations and individuals to help Ms. Tam’s family and another 2 poor women to build new houses or repair their degraded houses.

By mid-December of 2023, the construction of a new 70m² house was completed at a total cost of over VND 200 million, of which, VND 60 million was funded by the Da Nang Association for Supporting Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children while VND 50 million was donated by the Da Nang Fatherland Front Committee. This house was built for 69 year-old Vo Thi Tam, a resident of Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District.

Before having a new house, Ms. Tam's 6-member family had lived in a tiny and degraded house. Their livelihood relies on the income brought in by Ms. Tam's son and his wife, who work as drink sellers. Their new house now boasts three rooms along with a mezzanine, adequately catering to the requirements of Ms. Tam's six-member family.

Previously, the Da Nang Association for Supporting Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children had provided VND 50 million in funding to support 75 year-old Tran Thi Hoa, a resident of Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District to build her new house. Single and hailing from a local low-income household, Ms. Hoa's day-to-day living expenses are managed by her children.

In 2023, the Association raised close to VND 470 million from local organizations and individuals to build 9 new houses for poor women across the city: two in Hoa Vang, two in Hai Chau, and one in each of the Lien Chieu, Cam Le, Ngu Hanh Son, Thanh Khe, and Son Tra districts.

Mr. Huynh Van Hoa, the Chairman of the Da Nang Association for Supporting Poor and Disadvantaged Women and Children remarked that the Association’s program to build charity houses has brought great benefits to poor women as it has helped them have a new house and a stable life.

In addition, heed will be paid to giving 700 gifts to poor people to help them enjoy a happy Lunar New Year 2024.

In 2024, the Association will continue its efforts to build 14 additional charity houses for disadvantaged women across 7 districts of the city.

Reporting by NGOC QUOC - Translating by HOAI TRANG