In recent times, the ‘Godmother’ program launched by the Da Nang Women's Union has brought effectiveness in supporting poor orphaned children, thereby helping them overcome difficulties to study for a better future.

Orphaned children receiving cash gifts from the Hoa Vang District Chapter of the Da Nang Women's Union as part of the "Godmother" program. Photo: L.P

The benevolence of ‘Godmothers’

Student Doan Thi Thanh Nhan, a resident of Hoa Khuong Commune, Hoa Vang District, was born and raised in a poor farming family. Over 10 years ago, her father passed away due to a serious illness, leaving her mother to work for wages to support Nhan’s education and take care of her disabled older sister.

In its efforts to support Nhan’s family, in early 2022, the Hoa Khuong Commune asked for help from the commune’s Trade Union organization to act as godmother to Nhan in order to provide a monthly financial aid of VND 500,000 VND for her.

‘Godmothers" act as fulcrum of Nhan, allowing her to pursue her academic dreams. Thanks to this, at the end of her 9^th grade year, Nhan achieved the title of excellent student, and successfully passed the 10^th-grade entrance exam for Ong Ich Khiem Senior High School with high scores.

"The monthly financial support from the 'Godmother' program has helped reduce the financial burden on my family, as well as motivated me in life and study. I am very grateful to godmothers for their kindness and support,", Nhan expressed.

Similarly, for almost 2 years, student Tran Dieu Linh, a resident of Hoa Tien Commune, Hoa Vang District has received support from ‘godmothers" of the Le Son Bac Village, Hoa Tien commune. Linh lost her father, her mother who is a primary school teacher, often suffers from illness, making her family's life very difficult. Therefore, ‘godmothers" provide financial assistance worth VND 1.5 million VND per quarter to help her pay educational fees and cover her living expenses.

At the beginning of the new school year, ‘godmothers’ have raised funds from donors to help Linh buy books, school uniforms, and a bicycle for her. Thanks to the support of the ‘godmothers’, Linh has been able to diligently improve her academic performance from average to excellent over the past two school years. This achievement has brought joy not only to Linh's family but also to her dedicated ‘godmothers’.

Ms. Pham Thi Xuan Thuy, the Deputy Director of the Tien Thang Company, is one of the exemplary ‘godmothers’ who persuaded her company to support 10 orphaned children in difficult circumstances in Hoa Chau, Hoa Tien, and Hoa Phuoc communes in Hoa Vang District. Each of these orphans will receive a monthly financial aid of VND 500,000 for a period of 5 years, amounting to a total of 300 million VND, aimed at supporting their educational and living needs.

Furthermore, Ms. Thuy, along with the company's leaders, often visits these children to give them encouragement to motivate them to study for a better future while also motivating their families to strive for escaping from poverty.

Extending love to those in need

Ms. Tran Thi Kim, the Chairwoman of Hoa Vang District Chapter of the Da Nang Women's Union, stated that a combined total of 192 orphaned children across the district have till date received monthly financial assistance valued at VND 500,000 per child for a duration of five years with a cumulative total of over VND 5.76 billion.

In addition, on public holidays and Tet Festival (Lunar New Year), the ‘godmothers’ will give learning tools, bicycles, scholarships, and books in a bid to encourage the orphaned children in their studies, ensuring that none of them drop out of school. 

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thu, the Chairwoman of the Thanh Khe District Chapter,  said that 46 children in the district received financial assistance from ‘godmothers’ in 2022, and 30 others accessed financial aid. Each of them received a monthly grant of VND 500,000.

In Son Tra district, 150 out of 175 orphaned children from poor families have enjoyed benefits from the ‘Godmother’ program as each of them now receives a monthly grant of VND 500,000 during the 5- year period.

In addition, women in Son Tra District are active in getting involved in such meaningful activities as building piggy banks, raising funds from recycling and selling goods in an attempt to help more people in need.

According to the Da Nang Women's Union, two years after the city has implemented the "Godmother" program, 627 out of 1,713 orphaned children across the city has received a monthly grant of VND 500,000 per child.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huyen, the Deputy Chairwoman of the Da Nang Women's Union, stated that the "Godmother" program is a profound humanitarian activity as it spreads love and kindness in local communities.

"Godmothers" act as fulcrum of orphaned children, as they help these unfortunate children overcome challenges, increase their confidence, and create conducive conditions for their education and personal growth.

Reported by LAM PHUONG – Translated by THAO TRANG