The story of Mr. Ben building a 40 billion VND free dormitory for students

Before he passed away, Mr. Ben - who spent 40 billion VND to build free accommodation for students - established his own funeral committee and spent a lot of money to continue giving scholarships to poor children who love to study.

Mr. Pham Van Ben. Photo: Family provided

One day after Mr. Pham Van Ben (67 years old, living in Dong Thap) passed away, on the morning of April 14, the free dormitory project for students at Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry (Thu Duc District) resounded with the sound of machinery. Ms. Nguyen Thi Bao - Head of the Dormitory Management Board - urged the contractor to speed up the progress to complete the project on June 9, in time to welcome poor new students, according to Mr. Ben's wish.

The 71-year-old woman said she still clearly remembers December 12, 2012, when, during a conversation at a coffee shop in Sa Dec, Mr. Ben shared the idea of ​​building this dormitory and asked her to be its manager.

Initially, he planned to build a nursing home for lonely elderly people, but after many nights of thinking, he decided to spend 40 billion VND to build accommodation for poor students. He said that his poor childhood made him understand better than anyone the burden of making a living, so when he had the conditions, he wanted to do something meaningful to support poor students.

When he had the idea, he put aside his job as a business owner to look for a suitable plot of land to build a dormitory. Luckily, Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry enthusiastically supported him, allocating a land fund in Thu Duc district for the Co May dormitory project.

According to the approved project, the dormitory has 54 rooms, 3 self-study rooms and a common hall for 432 students.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bao (left) works with the contractor to build a free dormitory for students. Photo: Manh Tung

"Mr. Ben is a kind man. I felt his kindness from the first day I met him 27 years ago," said Ms. Bao.

At that time, she was a bank officer who first came into contact with Mr. Ben's business when it was still a production facility. "Although it was very difficult and needed to borrow money from the bank, he impressed me with his gentleness, sincerity, and persuasion. This opportunity turned him and I from partners into friends and then into close sisters for nearly three decades," the old woman said.

She added that during his lifetime, Mr. Ben told him never to accept any sponsorship from students who used to live in this free dormitory. If they want to help the poor younger generation, they should join hands to do meaningful things, such as creating another dormitory.

Talking about his father, Mr. Pham Minh Thien said that for many years, Mr. Ben had a habit of going to the bank at the end of each month to transfer scholarship money to nearly 20 students from all over the world who received his support. Only when he was too busy would he wait until the beginning of the month to transfer the money because he said, "I'm not in a hurry, but they are." After sending the money, he would text each student, "Uncle Ben just sent you the scholarship money," even though he had not met most of them.

Mr. Thien suggested that his father transfer this task to the accountant so that the money could be sent quickly and without wasting time, but he refused. "I understand that it makes him happy," Mr. Thien said.

Mr. Ben's youngest son said he was very proud of his father because he was a complete person, thoughtful to everyone. A few days before his death, he signed a decision to establish a funeral committee for himself so that the family could properly welcome visitors.

Mr. Ben also wants his company to spend 15 billion VND in the following years to pay for tuition, food, English and IT fees for all students selected to stay in the dormitory during their studies. "Our family will continue our father's wishes," Mr. Thien affirmed.

Co May Dormitory is under construction. Photo: Manh Tung

On the day Mr. Ben passed away, a friend who was a Provincial Party Secretary in the West, was working outside Hanoi and could not visit, so he wrote a letter to Mr. Ben's family. Talking about his contributions in helping poor students, the Provincial Party Secretary wrote: "How many people in life can do such things? Probably, but probably very rare! Realizing your lifelong dream with a pure, charitable heart, you must have spent many sleepless nights, tormented between the personal and the public, between family and society, between the present and the future."

In the letter, he also expressed his respect by calling Mr. Ben "The Teacher without a podium".

Talking to VnExpress, Dr. Tran Dinh Ly - Head of Training Department (Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry) - was especially impressed by Mr. Ben's kindness during their meetings.

"Uncle Ben's wish to see 432 students receive free accommodation and education was not fulfilled. He has passed away, but his compassionate heart remains...", Mr. Ly said.

According to VNE