In ancient fairy tales, the weak often wished for magical helpers. Today, across Vietnam, young people are passionate about volunteering and are ready to help the community. Those facing difficulties are meeting young men and women who appear like characters from old fairy tales.
With the support of Truong Hai Group Corporation, Kindness in July will feature stories of young people who are making a difference in their communities. These include a young man who has been providing free meals to child cancer patients for over 10 years and a young woman who tirelessly picks up trash to protect the environment. Though they live in different cities, they share a common trait: A willingness to give without expecting anything in return.
Guests of Kindness in July show
The young man who sowed the seeds of dreams for hundreds of poor students for 14 years
Born into a poor family, Truong Van Vu always reminded himself to study hard to overcome his situation. Life was never easy, especially when he was battling cancer. Understanding the extreme hardship of those in need, Vu founded the Green Pen Club to help poor children continue their education.
Vu’s youth was marked by charity work. During a visit to Bien Ho in 2014, he was deeply moved by the poverty-stricken children there. He quickly started a project to provide meals for a charity class. The project funds the purchase of rice and food for two meals at a cost of VND15,000 per child per day.
Truong Van Vu and his 14-year journey of charity work
The show starred Bui Thi Nuong, one of the thousands of children who have grown up healthy and happy thanks to Vu's Nurture Dreams scholarship. Nearly 10 years later, their relationship remains strong. Nuong recalls wanting to drop out of university because of the high tuition fees, but with Vu’s encouragement and financial support, she continued her education. She now has a stable job and plans to pursue a Master’s degree. She also continues Vu’s charitable mission by helping disadvantaged children in Nghe An.
Despite his commitment to charity, Vu often faces misunderstanding and criticism. But he perseveres, believing that "those who have fallen need love and support, regardless of their past."
Heartbeat of Love - Preserving smiles of cancer patients
The Heartbeat of Love Club was founded in 2016 in Da Nang with the motto "Giving is forever lasting". Over the past eight years, the club has left a lasting impact with programs such as Loving Spring and Wishes for cancer patients.
Their Loving Meal program, which provides two free meals daily to children with cancer at Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, is particularly well-known. The children are also are given cakes and candles to celebrate their birthdays.
"Seeing smiles is what drives us to continue this journey", says Nguyen Dang Hoa, the club’s founder, and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, the vice president. With over 50 members, mostly young students, the club’s love and efforts are dedicated to cancer patients, children, and the elderly in shelters.
Nguyen Dang Hoa and the Heartbeat of Love Club in Da Nang
Former members Nguyen Thi My Linh and Mach Thi Hien also appear on the show. Linh, who worked in communications, and Hien, a skilled cook, fondly recall their time with the club. Although they are no longer active, they keep their club shirts neatly in their wardrobes. Hien reminisces about a memorable trip to A Luoi and an accident with Hoa, which left a scar on his face.
Giving time and effort in exchange for children's smiles and health; giving away the youth and efforts of young people in the Heart of Love Club to gain the boundless happiness of cancer patients. The dream is on track and youth for them is a youth worth living. On March 9, 2023, the Vietnam Youth Federation of Da Nang City was awarded a decision to recognize the Heart of Love Club under the Vietnam Youth Union of Da Nang City.
The Golden Girl in the “Trash-Picking Community” - Striving for a “Green, Clean, and Beautiful Vietnam”
Nguyen Ngoc Anh left a stable job to travel around Vietnam's 63 cities and provinces to pick up trash. Ignoring the ridicule, she focuses solely on cleaning up Vietnam. "When I saw the bags of trash I collected on the beach, I felt this could be my mission", Anh said.
In 2019, Anh, along with her partners, founded the "Green Vietnam Community". The non-profit organization aims to inspire and spread positive environmental messages across Vietnam, particularly among the youth. The organization has attracted tens of thousands of volunteers.
The group’s activities include nationwide trash collection campaigns (Clean Up Vietnam), exchanging trash for gifts, recycling plastic waste, making eco-bricks, and building schools for poor children. They also run charity programs such as disaster relief, "Loving Tet," and gift-giving for underprivileged children.
Nguyen Ngoc Anh and the Green Vietnam Community
Joining Anh on the show are three young leaders: Hoang Manh Quan, Mai Van Giang, and Do Thi Thu Thuy. These ambassadors represent Green Vietnam in Hanoi, Thai Binh, and Lao Cai. Thuy notes that Green Lao Cai’s first volunteers were young students who were eager to collect rubbish. despite their age.
The group also performs a Flashmob dance to "Vietnam Oi", their symbolic dance, which they do when they gather for a campaign.
Kindness in July, Nurturing Green Dreams
The key to happiness is having dreams, and the key to success is having the courage to pursue them. Vu, Hoa, Anh, and many other young people have succeeded in their dream of creating a happier and more prosperous community.
"Kindness in July: Nurturing Green Dreams" airs at 8:10 PM on July 14 on VTV1 and VTVGo. Stay tuned!
