Supporting children in disadvantaged areas.

These days, everyone in Na Be village (Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong district) is happy for 12-year-old Lin Van Anh because he no longer has to live as a homeless person. Many years ago, his house was completely destroyed in a fire. His father died early, and his mother was ill, so the family fell into hardship and poverty. Without money to build a new house, he and his mother had to build a makeshift tent to live in. During rainy and windy weather, they had to sleep at the homes of relatives in the village.

Upon learning of her situation, in early 2019, the Youth Union of the Department of Finance launched a campaign for its members and young people, in coordination with neighboring Youth Union branches, to contribute over 60 million VND to jointly build a new house for her and her mother.

Representatives of the Youth Union of the Department of Finance present a house to Lin Van Anh (Na Be village, Xa Luong commune, Tuong Duong district). Photo: Provided by the Youth Union of the Department of Finance.

After more than three months of intensive construction, the 50m2 single-story house has been completed, becoming a very meaningful gift for Lin Van Anh and her mother.

Having a home and being provided with necessary supplies, Lin Van Anh can now confidently continue his studies. The teachers at Xa Luong Primary School also feel relieved to see him regularly attending school and socializing with his peers.

Through years of effort, the community service journey of union members in the Provincial Agencies Bloc has spanned across challenging areas, providing support to more than 40 students, both spiritually and materially.

Beyond their roles as older siblings, generations of Youth Union members at various branches also act as parents, caring for orphaned children. Despite geographical distances sometimes reaching hundreds of kilometers, communication is always maintained. Funding is replenished to ensure that these children have adequate living, learning, and recreational conditions.

The Youth Union branch of the Nghe An Provincial Statistics Department implemented the "Saving Money by Raising Pigs" model to support the circumstances of La Van Dao (Chieu Luu commune, Ky Son district). Photo: Thanh Quynh

Every year, during the Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, or at the start of the new school year, the Youth Union organizations within the bloc meet with, visit, and encourage students to overcome difficulties. This is also an opportunity for them to share books, clothes, school supplies, transportation to school, etc., with an average expenditure of over 150 million VND per year.

In particular, there are social welfare programs of the Youth Union branches under the Provincial Agencies' Youth Union that have been effectively maintained for a long time. A prime example is the Nghe An Newspaper Youth Union branch, which over the past 10 years has implemented many practical programs to support the impoverished Xieng My commune (Tuong Duong district). Besides providing essential equipment for the commune's People's Committee and donating gifts to poor students, they have also assisted local people in developing economic models and provided dozens of breeding cows to help poor households improve their production.

In particular, last May, the Youth Union of Nghe An Newspaper built a youth project in Phay village, Xieng My commune, consisting of 5 centralized waste treatment facilities in 5 residential clusters within the village. After one month of construction, the project was completed and put into effective use, contributing to environmental protection and raising awareness among people about sorting and processing waste in a centralized manner.

At the handover ceremony for the youth project, the Nghe An Newspaper Youth Union also donated 45 school bags, over 200 sets of clothes, and some other sports equipment to the students of Phay village, with the total value of the project and gifts exceeding 40 million VND. (Photo: Phuong Thuy)

According to statistics, from 2015 to the present, the Youth Union of the Provincial Agencies Bloc has donated more than 30,000 gifts including books, clothes, and school supplies to disadvantaged children in remote and border areas. In addition, they have mobilized and raised over 200 million VND for Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations for children. Furthermore, they have donated 8 bookshelves and 12 playgrounds to students in special areas, with a total cost of over 160 million VND.

As an annual event to encourage and motivate children to excel in their studies, the Youth Union of the Provincial Agencies Bloc organized a commendation ceremony with the theme "Good Children, Excellent Students, and Beloved Grandchildren of Uncle Ho". Photo: Thanh Quynh

Volunteering for the community

Having been involved in the voluntary blood donation program for many years, Comrade Thai Minh Sy - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Youth Union, Secretary of the Youth Union of the Provincial Agencies Bloc - said that many young people in agencies and departments do not hesitate to donate their blood, with a total of around 10 donations.

Exemplary individuals such as Nguyen Truong Sung, Le Van Hao (Youth Union of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment), Dao Anh Tan, and Chu Manh Duong (Customs Department) regularly and enthusiastically participate whenever blood donation drives are launched. They have created a ripple effect, encouraging young union members and youth within the Youth Union to be more open and proactive in the voluntary blood donation movement.

Thanks to this, over the past 5 years, the Youth Union has organized and participated in 12 voluntary blood donation drives, collecting 2,276 units of blood for medical purposes. At the same time, they organized 9 free medical examination and medication distribution sessions for nearly 6,000 people; and organized 30 "Bowl of Compassion" programs, distributing over 1,100 free meals and porridge at hospitals and centers.

The blood donation campaign has been widely supported by members of the Youth Union of the Provincial Agencies Bloc. Photo: Thanh Quynh

Furthermore, many volunteer activities for community life have been widely implemented and innovated, such as "Youth Month," "Green Sunday," and "Workers' Month," contributing to educating young people about community awareness, self-improvement, and demonstrating the responsibility of youth towards their homeland and country, while also creating a close relationship between young people in government agencies and the general public in the province.

Welfare projects to support people in disadvantaged areas are implemented comprehensively, transparently, and effectively. Photo: Thanh Quynh

For example, the Youth Union branch of the Nghe An Provincial Statistics Department has been collecting a day's salary since 2015 to support the situation of La Van Dao (Chieu Luu commune, Ky Son district).

In 2016, the Youth Union changed this fundraising method to a piggy bank model. Accordingly, every day, especially after each Youth Union meeting and office meeting, each member contributes their savings to the piggy bank. At the end of the year, the savings will be allocated to support the child in the most appropriate way.

Some grassroots Youth Union branches have effectively implemented the 1,000 VND savings box model and mobilized resources from philanthropists to increase funds supporting social welfare activities.

With that spirit, in the next term, the Youth Union of the Provincial Agencies Bloc will continue to contribute its efforts and resources to closely integrate professional tasks and community-oriented activities. From there, it will build a force of enthusiastic and proactive youth union members in the new era.