“Active, enthusiastic in work, positive, proactive and wholeheartedly committed to the local charity and humanitarian activities…”. That is the compliment of people in Vinh Phu ward’s Tay quarter in Thuan An city for Dao Thi Ngoc Trang who is always devoted to social and charity work.
Wanting to offer help to more people…
On a late afternoon of May, we were at Dao Thi Ngoc Trang's house together with a volunteer group of Tay quarter’s Front Working Board to discuss with her a difficult situation in need of unexpected support. With a small body, she quickly weighed 200kg of rice for 20 gifts to give monthly support for difficult cases. And then, she continued weighing another 500kg of rice to support the "Zero-dong” market-day opened on the next day...
Dao Thi Ngoc Trang, a bright example of kindness
Looking at hundreds of kilograms of rice carefully packed, no one thought that this 60-year-old woman with such a small body could do everything by herself so well. Perhaps, also being tired, she rested her hands to share: "I don't want anyone to acknowledge about my charity work. We just want to help as many people as possible.”
She said: “Through many difficulties, I have understood the hardships and sorrows of unfortunate and poor fates. This has also helped me feel the full value of sympathy, sharing and help from relatives and friends for me."
Talking to us, she recalled: “I started doing charity about 5-6 years ago. At that time, quarter officials told about difficult situations in life. I wanted to do something for needy people, helping them overcome difficulties. I took charity work as a joy. When seeing unfortunate lives with smiles on their lips, I was strangely happy. In the past, I also faced difficulties and tried to surmount them. And now, my family is okay with a better life, so I think I should help difficult people rise up. I'm happy to help everyone!"
Imprinting volunteer footprints
For many years, areas in Vinh Phu ward have imprinted her volunteer footprints. With noble deeds, giving gifts to the poor, disabled, lonely elderly, providing material and spiritual assistance for those in need and sick, she has lit up people-to-people love in life.
Although being nearly 60 years old, Mrs. Trang has always actively participated in the local volunteer activities. Her actions show the Vietnamese people’s traditional noble values of "good leaves protect the torn ones". By starting with her heart, she has created a positive effect in the social community, being loved and admired by everyone in and out of the quarter.
Nguyen Thi Thao, Chairwoman of Vinh Phu ward’s Fatherland Front Committee said that Dao Thi Ngoc Trang is currently the owner of a lodging facility and a rice and animal feed shop. Every year, she supports the local disadvantaged people with about 3 tons of rice and many scholarships for students with difficult circumstances. In addition, she is among individuals who have made many contributions to mass organizations in movement activities such as supporting the Fund for the Poor, the Support Fund for Farmers, the Savings Fund for the Poor, the Elderly Care Fund, the Veterans Association's Golden Heart Fund. Not only providing support in the locality, she also works with a group of volunteers to do charity, helping ethnic people in remote, mountainous areas.
Especially, during the Covid-19 outbreak in 2021, for many months, she did not collect rent from lodgers, bought food to support them and the locality with essentials, helping overcome difficulties and the pandemic.
Possibly speaking, she is a bright example of kindness, always loving and helping people; a mainstay for difficult situations. Her actions have encouraged the disadvantaged to strive to rise up, contributing to ensuring the local social welfare.
“For me, doing charity has to come from the heart. My contributions are not great, but help needy situations overcome difficulties. This also motivates me to try to do more good things. When being healthy, I still help unfortunate lives…”, said she.
Reported by Gia Phuc-Thao Nguyen-Translated by Kim Tin
