There are so many miracles that seem impossible, but thanks to their passionate love for their homeland, the “living monuments” “Dong Khoi Citizens” have written a fairy tale in the middle of everyday life. So that many disadvantaged people in the land of Coconuts have been supported and have risen up in life.
Mr. Huynh Van Cam ( last row, third from left) with heart surgery patients, Ho Chi Minh City Sponsorship Association, Cho Ray Hospital's cardiology department at the program From Heart to Heart. Photo: HBT
Although he is not married, Mr. Huynh Van Cam has thousands of children and grandchildren. Photo: Archive
The pain from the photo in the briefcase has followed Mr. Huynh Van Cam - Hero of Labor in the renovation period, Chairman of the Association for the Support of Poor Patients, the Disabled and Orphans of Ben Tre Province throughout his years of working at the association. Mr. Huynh Van Cam (also known as Mr. Nam Le Huynh) choked up as he recounted: One time he could not find aid in time to save the child, just 1 day before the surgery, the child passed away. Since then, he has kept the child's photo in his daily work briefcase, as a reminder to act quickly, to fight to save the lives of children with heart disease. Since then, Mr. Huynh Van Cam has made efforts to help more than 1,000 children revive after heart surgery. There are countless children who have had heart surgery, and to this day still affectionately call Mr. Huynh Van Cam "grandfather, maternal grandfather".
Mr. Huynh Van Cam's boundless love for children with heart disease and people with disabilities has helped countless lives find the meaning of life. Photo: HBT
Along with the journey to find the heartbeat again are the compassionate houses called Heart Warmers. Hundreds of such houses were born from the heart of Mr. Huynh Van Cam. The scholarship program to support the poor, disabled, and orphaned students, which later became the Nhan Thien Scholarship Fund, is also a program that Mr. Huynh Van Cam put a lot of heart into. Mr. Huynh Van Cam was awarded the title of "Dong Khoi Citizen" in 2021 (at that time he was the Chairman of the Association for Supporting Poor Patients, Disabled People and Orphans of Ben Tre Province).
Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Ho Thi Hoang Yen (right cover), Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Be Muoi (left cover) presented flowers and the title "Dong Khoi Citizen" to Mr. Huynh Van Cam. Photo by Phan Han
The Nhan Thien Scholarship Fund has helped many generations of students from the Coconut Land to rise up. The story of Dr. Do Tan Khang, from Cho Lach District, is a testament to Mr. Huynh Van Cam's heart for the difficult lives in his homeland.
Mr. Huynh Van Cam and Dr. Do Tan Khang. Photo: Hoang Ha
Do Tan Khang has been disabled in his legs since childhood due to polio. His father died early, his family was poor, and his mother, who was old, had to work hard to earn a living in Ho Chi Minh City. During his years in the university, the scholarship from the Association for the Support of Poor Patients, Disabled People and Orphans of Ben Tre Province supported Do Tan Khang throughout his studies.
Mr. Do Tan Khang (third from left) received his PhD in Biotechnology in Japan. Photo provided by the character
Mr. Do Tan Khang graduated with a good degree, he applied for a Master's scholarship in Australia and then a PhD scholarship in Japan. Dr. Do Tan Khang shared: "The scholarship is a voice of encouragement from my homeland that helps me strive to achieve the best results in my studies. That help partly supports the cost of studying, reduces the burden on my family, and helps me be more confident in life. More importantly, the Association often invites me to share, as an example for children in difficult circumstances, which makes me try harder...". Mr. Do Tan Khang obtained his PhD in Biotechnology in Japan, he is currently Head of the Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology Research and Development, Can Tho University.
On both sides of the Thanh Long riverbank, Thanh Thoi A commune, Mo Cay Nam district, there is still the grave of a young student. Shedding tears at the cases of students falling off the monkey bridge and drowning, Mr. Trinh Van Y was troubled by the pain of the villagers. After many years of dedication with his last position as Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, at the age of 60, Mr. Trinh Van Y did not rest but chose to devote himself to the front line of rural traffic construction in the land of Coconut.
Mr. Trinh Van Y is 84 years old but still wholeheartedly cares about rural roads in his homeland of Coconut. Photo: Thach Thao
In his role as Chairman of the Ben Tre Bridge and Road Science and Technology Association (KHKTCĐ), Mr. Trinh Van Y (Mr. Hai Mai Son) during his 20 years of operation (from 60 to 80 years old), he brought great results to the people in rural areas with 2,500 bridge works and 350km of roads built. The portrait of Mr. Trinh Van Y was touched by journalists and recounted through articles such as: "Medal for Kindness" - Can Tho Newspaper, "A great beggar" - Tuoi Tre Newspaper, "The example of Mr. Hai Cau Duong" - Dong Khoi Newspaper, "Mr. Trinh Van Y, a man devoted to the people" - Thi Emulation and Reward Magazine, "Bridge connecting the shores of joy" - Dong Khoi Newspaper...
Mr. Trinh Van Y (back row, right cover) was honored in the program "Glory of Vietnam - Marks of 30 years of innovation" in 2017. Photo: Archive
The Director of the Vietnam Record Institute awarded the Vietnam Record to Mr. Trinh Van Y with the record: "The person who has contributed to mobilizing and supporting the construction of the largest number of concrete bridges and roads in rural areas (from 2003 to 2021 with 2,500 bridges and 300 km of roads). Photo: T. Thao
Mr. Trinh Van was awarded the title "Dong Khoi Citizen" in 2021. Photo: Thach Thao
For his contributions, Mr. Trinh Van Y was awarded many noble titles by the Party and the State. In particular, he was honored by the Central Selection Council in the program "Glory of Vietnam - Marks of 30 years of innovation". Mr. Trinh Van Y was awarded the title "Dong Khoi Citizen" in 2021.
A Zen master once said, “Great love/ Always brings joy/ Sharing suffering/ Leading each other to peace.” The love of Mr. Huynh Van Cam and Mr. Trinh Van Y for their homeland has a great power to move, regardless of differences in borders, languages and skin color.
Mr. Toni Ruttiman and Mr. Trinh Van Y (Mai Son) in 2006. Photo: Document
With the heart of a person who has devoted 20 years to his homeland, Mr. Trinh Van Y has attracted friends. Among them, Mr. Toni Ruttiman - a Swiss bridge expert sponsored the construction of 48 cable car bridges to eliminate 46 ferries and 2 monkey bridges. These practical projects have met the urgent needs of the countryside, implemented by the Ben Tre Association of Science and Technology, and are known to friends all over the country and abroad.
People are excited to see the construction of a cable car bridge to eliminate ferries and monkey bridges. Photo: Archive
“While I was assembling the Tra Bong bridge in Nhi My commune, an elderly man named Mai Son (commonly known as Mr. Trinh Van Y) from Ben Tre province came to ask me to help build a bridge for farmers. When I learned that he was a former leader of Ben Tre province, now retired but still devoted the rest of his life to volunteering to build bridges and roads for poor farmers, I was very happy to have met someone with the same aspirations. Therefore, I agreed to go to Ben Tre province with Mr. Mai Son two days later” - Mr. Toni Ruttiman recounted his relationship with Ben Tre.
Mr. Toni Ruttiman was recognized Certificate of Merit from the Provincial People's Committee. Photo: Document
In gratitude to Mr. Toni Ruttiman, Ben Tre province awarded him the title of "Honorary Dong Khoi Citizen" in 2022.
Mr. Nam Le Huynh and Ms. Akemi Bando. Photo: HBT
30 years ago, through Mr. Nam Le Huynh, Ms. Akemi Bando learned about Ben Tre and throughout her life, the Japanese woman always had Ben Tre in her heart. To accompany the unfortunate lives, she campaigned to build the School for Children with Disabilities, the first school for children with disabilities in Ben Tre. In addition, Ms. Akemi Bando also implemented community-based rehabilitation programs, Primary health care programs for mothers and children to reduce the rate of children with deformities, disabilities, and developmental delays, pediatric care training programs, support for medical equipment, build rehabilitation departments for people with disabilities; Vocational guidance programs to help people with disabilities find jobs to confidently integrate into the community.
Ms. Akemi Bando with disabled children in Ben Tre province. Photo: Huyen Trang - HBT
Ms. Akemi Bando - Secretary General of the Vietnam - Japan Children's Aid Association shared: "It has been 30 years since my first visit to Ben Tre, but I still remember that first day like it was yesterday... Our Vietnam Children's Aid Association has been working and operating for 30 years with only one province. The reason is very simple, the members of the Association have loved Ben Tre very much. Because the successive leaders over the past 30 years have always cared and wanted to bring a better life to the people of Ben Tre". Ms. Akemi Bando, Secretary General of the Vietnam - Japan Children's Aid Association was awarded the title of "Honorary Dong Khoi Citizen" in 2021.
Ben Tre provincial leaders awarded the title of “Honorary Dong Khoi Citizen” to Ms. Akemi Bando. Photo: T. Thao
There are many touching stories about the hearts of individuals who are “Dong Khoi Citizens” and “Honorary Dong Khoi Citizens” such as: Doctor - Labor Hero, People's Physician Ta Thi Chung (Ta Thi Tam), in the role of Deputy Director, Party Secretary of Tu Du Hospital from 1975 - 1998, Ms. Hai Chung brought joy to children to many families, took care of homeless pregnant women, young girls who had lost their way, and cared for abandoned disabled children. Her heart was open not only at the hospital, where she had been attached for more than half of her life, but she also extended her loving arms to her hometown of Ben Tre.
Ms. Ta Thi Chung (5th, from left) and sponsors support women and poor patients in Ben Tre. Photo: HBT
Ms. Ta Thi Chung (left cover) at the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam - Japan Children's Assistance Association (SCVA) humanitarian activities in Ben Tre province (1990-2015). Photo: HBT
Or like the civilian general General Le Van Dung (Nguyen Van Noi); hometown Phong Nam commune, Giong Trom district. General Le Van Dung is one of 14 soldiers who have been awarded the rank of General since the establishment of the Vietnam People's Army. In 2007, the General was the editor-in-chief of the book "Heroic Ben Tre Dong Khoi", published on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Ben Tre Dong Khoi Day (January 17, 1960 - January 17, 2010). This is a monumental work in books to pay tribute to the sacrifices of the army and people of Ben Tre during the Dong Khoi in 1960. In 2011, after receiving the decision to retire, the General returned to the land of Coconut and participated in social work for his hometown and comrades. He spent time visiting the families of his former comrades who were facing difficulties and mobilizing resources from individuals and businesses to help build more than 1,000 gratitude houses and comrade houses in localities in the province.
General Le Van Dung at the awarding ceremony of the title "Outstanding Dong Khoi Citizen" in 2022. Photo: Huu Hiep
And many politicians, businessmen, and scientists who are "Dong Khoi Citizens" and "Honorary Dong Khoi Citizens" on their path to success always have a heart full of longing for their homeland, the land of Coconut, and have made many contributions to the people here.
Mr. Huynh Van Cam - Chairman of the Ben Tre Province Association for the Support of Poor Patients awarded certificates of gratitude to sponsors who have supported the Association over the years. Photo: HBT
Through 3 times of recognition and honor, Ben Tre province has 18 “Dong Khoi Citizens” and 11 “Honorary Dong Khoi Citizens”. From a small person, the “Dong Khoi Citizens” and “Honorary Dong Khoi Citizens” have made many contributions and created miracles, becoming great monuments in the hearts of Ben Tre people. All seem to have a common starting point of “having seen and felt the pain of the people”.
----------------------------------------
Content: Thach Thao
Design: My Hanh
Source link
Comment (0)