The Military Journalist’s 17-Year Journey of “Lighting a Matchstick”
Seventeen years ago, while on a field assignment in the highlands, Lieutenant Colonel and journalist Hoang Truong Giang came across tiny flames on the roadside, where shivering children were warming themselves against the cold. This inspired him to start the “Light a Matchstick” project.
For nearly two decades, the project has contributed to the construction of 36 schools, bringing the light and knowledge to thousands of children and offering hope to countless families. To him, every lit flame dispels a shadow.
Grandmothers Who Raised More Than 2,000 Orphans
For over 36 years, the women of the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Charity Association have been a source of support for thousands of orphans and disadvantaged children. Thanks to the shelters they run, many children who were once forced to endure hardship have been able to enjoy a normal childhood, attend school, and grow up.
“In life, there are two things that cannot be delayed: honoring our ancestors and doing good for those around us”, said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue, Chairwoman of the Women’s Charity Association of Ho Chi Minh City. It is precisely this principle of “not delaying kindness” that has created a warm, extended family spanning nearly four decades.
A Mother Who Opened Another Library Because of One Word from Her Son
“The Happiness Library” - a free library co-founded by Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Thuy and Ms. Tran Thi Hong Tham - provides the community with free access to books. Recalling its early days, Ms. Tham became emotional as she spoke of giving up on her dream of opening a library after her youngest son was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2021.
However, by July 2022, when the first Happiness Library opened, she had managed to fulfil her dream and brought her son to the opening. Surrounded by shelves of books and the laughter of other children, the little boy innocently said, “I wish we had a library in our place”. That simple, childlike wish touched the deepest part of a mother’s heart.
But only a few months later, before the library could could begin operating, her son passed away. His wish became the driving force for Ms. Tham and her husband to open the second Happiness Library, a place where everyone can come to read and experience the happiness he once dreamed of.
What started as a modest 20-square-meter room has grown into two libraries in Dan Phuong (Hanoi) housing more than 6,500 titles, supported by 80 volunteers and visited by 2,500 regular readers. The library is not just a place to preserve knowledge; it is also a space where disadvantaged children can nurture their faith and dreams.
Three different stories and three unique journey converge on one point: true happiness often comes from the simplest and most minor of things. Tune in to Kind Deeds September “Small Happiness”, sponsored by THACO - Truong Hai Group, broadcast at 08:10 PM tonight (September 13) on VTV1 and the VTVgo app.
