Representatives of volunteer group in Vinh Long “Giving is Forever”. Photo: baovinhlong.com.vn

Established in 2016 and coordinating with the Red Cross Society of Vinh Long province for 8 years, Hoa Thach Commune’s Volunteer Group has provided humanitarian assistance to hundreds of poor people, lonely elderly people, and people with serious illnesses. The group has been more active since COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.

Ms. Mai, the group leader, said that the group receives contributions from friends and relatives at home and abroad. As for helping and giving gifts, it depends on the needs of each specific situation after field surveys are conducted. They give money to the elderly and the lonely every month. The group is regularly supporting 7 elderly and sick persons who have no one to take care of with 500,000 VND per person a month. In addition, gifts are given to the poor, wheelchairs given to the disabled, and charity houses handed over to the needy. Responding to the "Humanitarian Tet" movement, the group coordinates with the Red Cross Society of the commune to give over 450 Tet gifts per year in the locality.

In addition to giving gifts, the volunteer group organizes 4 zero-dong stalls including clothes, cups, glasses, and notebooks in neighboring communes such as Long An (Long Ho), Hoa Thanh, Hoa Hiep (Tam Binh), and Tan Long (Mang Thit) for people to get them for free. Every month, the group organizes free home delivery of 100-120 meals to the poor; visits and gives gifts to patients being treated at the General Hospital and Mental Hospital of Vinh Long province. From 2021 to 2023, each year, the group supports the construction of 10-15 new charity houses for the poor in and outside the locality, worth 50 million VND each.

Nguyen Quoc Viet, Chairman of the Hoa Thanh Commune Red Cross Society, said that the Volunteer Group is very active and effective in their humanitarian activities. Although the group members are mostly elderly, they are not afraid of difficulties. Sometimes, even at night, when somebody has an accident and needs help, they are willing to cover the cost of taking the victim to the hospital for treatment. The group closely coordinates with the commune’s Red Cross Society in selecting aid recipients.

“Giving is forever” is in line with the spirit of the Hoa Thanh Commune volunteer group. All members wish to help people in difficult circumstances and make them gain more confidence to integrate into the community. Their humanitarian activities have contributed to spreading the Vietnam Red Cross Society movement “Good people, good deeds – Joining hands to build a compassionate community”.