The Nghe An Provincial Trade Union donated books and bicycles to the children of workers.

HOPE FROM THE PAGES OF A BOOK

Every summer, the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union office is overwhelmed with books for a single day. With no room on the desks, the union officials have to spread out tarpaulins on the floor to sort and pack them. These are gifts for the children of union members and workers who have overcome difficulties and excelled in their studies. Because the number of students who have overcome difficulties and excelled in their studies is higher than in previous years, the preparation of the awards is more elaborate and laborious.

To accomplish this task, based on a list of children of union members and workers who overcame difficulties to excel in their studies, the officials of the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union personally selected meaningful books suitable for each age group and carefully decorated them. Most of these books contained content about life lessons, moral principles, world exploration, and soft skills. Everyone's face was full of excitement and pride, their hands carefully handling the books. Behind these meaningful gift packages lay much more joy.

Chairman of the Southeast Economic Zone Trade Union, Vuong An Nguyen, presents books and gifts, acknowledging and encouraging the excellent academic achievements of the children of workers. Photo: PV

This is a source of joy for the workers of the Southeast Economic Zone's labor union – tailors, mechanics, and other ordinary workers. Despite busy shift schedules and meager wages, they always strive to provide their children with a good education. Among them, many face extremely difficult circumstances, such as single parents raising children, illness, and other hardships. Receiving gifts of books, boxes of cookies, and cash rewards for her child's academic achievements right at the factory, Ms. Thai Huong (Minh Anh Kim Lien Garment Joint Stock Company) excitedly said: “My child will surely love this gift. She is studious and loves reading, but her parents are too busy to buy her books regularly. The content and presentation in the book are also very interesting and suitable for her age.”

The gifts were carefully and lovingly packaged. Photo: PV

Sharing the same sentiment, Ms. Ho Thi Minh expressed with emotion in her eyes: “We can endure any hardship and difficulty, as long as our children can receive a proper education and have the opportunity to develop and thrive. The recognition and care from the trade union organization is not only a reward to encourage our children to study hard, but also a great source of encouragement for us parents.”

The joy of the workers receiving the gifts is also the happiness of those who organized the program. Mr. Vuong An Nguyen - ChairmanSoutheast Economic Zone Trade UnionHe further shared: "The positive feedback from the workers is what motivates us to maintain this program for the past 6 years. Besides books and gifts, we also provide cash rewards ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 VND depending on each child's achievements. We not only recognize achievements in academic subjects but also reward those with accomplishments in sports and talents. Through these gifts, we hope that the workers in the industrial zone will be more motivated, work hard, raise their children well, and nurture their dreams so that the next generation will confidently enter life with knowledge, independence, and responsibility towards themselves and society."

Meaningful and highly educational books are categorized appropriately by age group before being donated. Photo: PV

This year, due to the complicated pandemic situation, the Trade Union of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone presented 187 gifts totaling 70 million VND to the parents of the children instead of holding a face-to-face meeting as in previous years.

BICYCLES OF LOVE FOR CHILDRENWORKERS

Besides the program to commend the children of union members and workers who achieve high academic results, the trade union officials of Do Luong district also have a very meaningful program called "Bicycles for Children to Go to School".

Originating from the "Studying and Following the Ideology, Morality, and Style of Ho Chi Minh," the program was initiated in 2015 and has been continuously maintained to this day. Accordingly, every month, union officials and staff of the District Labor Union voluntarily contribute to the agency's savings fund. At the end of the year, this money is used to buy bicycles for children of union members from disadvantaged backgrounds in the area. Typically, each individual contributes 100,000 VND per month, or sets aside a voluntary amount upon receiving their salary or benefits. The amount may not be large, but the accumulated savings bring immense joy to the families of union members and their children.

The "Bicycles for Children to School" program of the Do Luong District Labor Union has spread to grassroots trade unions, bringing joy to many poor students for the past 6 years. Photo: PV

Indeed, among the list of 8 trade union member families who received bicycles in 2020, many cases are heartbreaking. There's a case in the poor commune of Nhân Sơn where the father suffers from chronic mental illness, the mother works as a garment factory worker, and the three sisters attend different schools far apart, with only two bicycles, forcing them to take turns riding – sometimes cycling, sometimes walking. Another case involves a father who passed away, leaving a single mother struggling to raise her children, without a bicycle, and the child has to rely on friends for rides every day...

Mr. Le Van Lai, Vice Chairman of the Do Luong District Labor Union, shared: “Because these families are in such difficult circumstances, this gift is truly meaningful and effective. Every year when I go to hand over the bicycles, I feel very moved when I witness the radiant joy on the faces of the children. They cherish and are very excited about this gift.”

From its special savings fund, the District Labor Union typically awards around 8-10 bicycles each year, each worth 1-1.2 million VND. After handing over the bicycles, the District Labor Union also provides the families with the address of the supplier's dealer, so they can change the color or style of the bicycle themselves if they wish. Recognizing the practical significance of the program, manygrassroots trade unionFollowing the example of the Do Luong District Labor Union, they launched a fundraising campaign to donate bicycles to poor students in the area.

Every year, the Nghia Dan District Labor Union visits the homes of union members and workers in difficult circumstances or suffering from serious illnesses to give gifts. (Photo: PV)

With the same aim of sharing and supporting children, every year on International Children's Day (June 1st), the Nghia Dan District Labor Union organizes visits and tặng gifts to children of union members with particularly difficult circumstances, children with disabilities, and children suffering from serious illnesses.

Besides programs that bear the unique mark of the unit, the various levelsNghe An Trade UnionFurthermore, the trade union demonstrates its care and encouragement for the future generation through various annual programs such as giving gifts on children's holidays, organizing summer camps for the children of workers, and organizing field trips. Even if it's just a small gift, a day trip, or a word of encouragement and support, the sincere concern of the trade union for the children of its members brings immense joy and meaningful humanistic values.

In previous years, unaffected by the pandemic, the Nghia Dan Trade Union organized summer camps and field trips for the children of union members and workers with good academic achievements. Photo: PV