Ms. Duong Thi Kim Dung. (Photo: Hoang Minh)

30 years ago, Ms. Kim Dung joined the Women’s Humanitarian Association in Ho Chi Minh City. Later, in order to help more people, she set up the Thu Dung humanitarian group. Thu Dung members have been to different areas of Vietnam, building charity houses and bridges, and presenting gifts to poor and disabled children.

During her travels, Dung had the idea of adopting disadvantaged children who want to continue their studies. 

“During one trip, I met a boy who really wanted to go to school but couldn’t because his family was so poor. I adopted that boy and kept him enrolled in school until he was grown. Then I adopted other children who were poor but wanted to keep studying,” said Dung. 

Doctor Nguyen Thi Tuyet Anh of Cu Chi hospital was for a time supported by Ms. Dung. In 2014, Tuyet Anh passed the entrance exam to Ho Chi Minh City Medical University but didn’t have enough money to keep attending school. Ms. Dung adopted her and helped her continue her studies. 

“Ms. Dung was very kind and helped me a lot. I’m very grateful to her. Now that I’m a doctor, I’ll provide free medical treatment to poor people,” said Tuyet Anh.

Dung’s three-story house has been upgraded to accommodate poor students, some of them from Laos.

In 2018 Ho Chi Minh city organized an exchange program between Lao students and Vietnamese families. At first, Ms. Dung adopted two Lao students for 3 months. They continued to stay with her through the next 6 years of their student careers. During this period, Ms. Dung taught them about Vietnamese culture and cuisine to help foster friendship between the two countries.

“Ms. Dung is very strict. But, deep inside, she is kind-hearted and always willing to help others,” said Ly Quoc Phong, a neighbor of Dung’s. 

Ms. Dung also runs a charity food stall and generates jobs for many poor people. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Duong Thi Kim Dung)

Ms. Dung also opened a charity food stall and generated jobs for many poor people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she delivered free meals to isolated areas and field hospitals. Dung says she hopes her activities will inspire others to get involved in charity work to help more disadvantaged people.