“Godmothering” must be a journey of perseverance and love.
After nearly 3 years of implementation in Nghe An Trade Union levels, the "Godmother" Program has gone beyond the framework of a humanitarian activity, becoming a symbol of humanity in the trade union system of the whole province. Reporter of Nghe An Newspaper had a conversation with Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi - Vice President of the Provincial Labor Federation about this "journey of love".
Diep Thanh (performed) - Publication date: April 15, 2025
After nearly 3 years of implementation in Nghe An Trade Union levels, the "Godmother" Program has gone beyond the framework of a humanitarian activity, becoming a symbol of humanity in the trade union system of the whole province. Reporter of Nghe An Newspaper had a conversation with Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Nhi - Vice President of the Provincial Labor Federation about this "journey of love".
PV:Up to now, what specific results has the “Godmother” Program implemented by Nghe An Trade Unions achieved? Can you tell us about the milestones after nearly 3 years of implementation?
GrandmaNguyen Thi Thu Nhi:The "Godmother" program has been implemented by Nghe An Trade Unions at all levels since the end of 2022, based on a joint program between the Provincial Labor Federation and the Provincial Women's Union. Up to now, after nearly 3 years of implementation at all levels of the trade union, we have supported and sponsored 377 orphans out of 1,400 orphans of union members and workers across the province, most of whom are children of civil servants, public employees and workers orphaned due to the Covid-19 pandemic or other causes.
All resources to support the children are mobilized from socialization, from organizations, individuals, businesses, union members and union officials at all levels. Some grassroots unions, although facing many difficulties, still adopt and directly sponsor the children by sharing their own salaries. There are units such as the Tuong Duong District Union, with only 4 staff members, but have adopted 2 children, including a child who is orphaned by both parents - the child of a union member.
The most obvious mark of the program is not only in the numbers, but in the sentiment, responsibility and sustainability. We do not carry out a one-time support activity, but commit to sponsoring for at least 3 years, there are cases that have entered the 3rd year and are still accompanied regularly.
PV: During the program implementation, what difficulties and obstacles did trade unions at all levels encounter and how did they overcome them, Madam?
GrandmaNguyen Thi Thu Nhi:The biggest difficulty in implementing the “Godmother” Program is how to maintain sustainability. This is not a temporary activity, but a long-term commitment, requiring stability in resources as well as sincere commitment from organizations and individuals. Meanwhile, the actual conditions of grassroots unions are very different, many places still face difficulties in budget and regulations on charity mobilization, especially in mountainous districts, remote areas. In addition, a significant difficulty is verifying the circumstances and real needs of orphans, thereby choosing the appropriate form of support.
To resolve the issue, the Provincial Federation of Labor has issued specific guidelines, emphasizing the principles of voluntariness, publicity, transparency, respect for children's rights and prioritizing appropriate forms of support for each situation. We also directed trade unions at all levels to proactively socialize resources, encourage union members and workers to voluntarily deduct from their salaries to raise children, and at the same time, mobilize philanthropists and businesses to join. A very positive point is that the connection between the trade union and the women's union at the same level has created a widespread and effective care network.
PV: Many trade unions, even at the grassroots level, with thin staffing levels, have been taking care of and sponsoring children for many years. What, in your opinion, has created this precious sense of responsibility and sharing?
GrandmaNguyen Thi Thu Nhi:That's right. For example, at the Tuong Duong District Labor Federation, 4 union officials have sponsored 2 orphans for 3 consecutive years, each child receiving 12 million VND in support each year, taken from the monthly salary of the officials. The Education Union, 5 full-time officials have sponsored 2 children each year, 5 million VND/child for 5 years, in addition, taken from the profits of the union member welfare store to coordinate to sponsor 1 more child with the amount of 5 million VND/year. The Hoang Mai Town Labor Federation has 3 full-time officials contributing 3.6 million VND to support 1 child each year for 5 years. The Nghi Loc District Labor Federation has 4 full-time officials have sponsored 2 children, 3.6 million VND/child each year for 3 years... That is not only a material contribution, but also a responsible and loving action.
Not limited toorphansAs children of civil servants, public employees, and workers, many trade unions have opened their arms to students in especially difficult circumstances in the community. With the specific nature of the profession, the Education Trade Union is one of the pioneers to do this systematically and persistently. In the 2024-2025 school year, the entire industry sponsored 69 children, with a total amount of 640 million VND. In addition, there are many cases where individuals privately sponsor, quietly support with money, books, or simply accompany the children in studying and training. In particular, the Education Trade Union also opened a union member welfare store, selling clean fruit and deducting profits from the store to support orphans.
I think that what creates such a strong spread is humanity and class sentiment – the core and sustainable values of the trade union organization. In addition, I think a large part comes from the exemplary and inspirational role of the trade union cadres themselves.
PV:Besides the "Godmother" Program, the systemThe union also carries out many other activities aimed at orphans and children in difficult circumstances.Can you tell us more about the resource coordination and spillover effects of these activities?
GrandmaNguyen Thi Thu Nhi:In addition to the “Godmother” Program, in recent times, Nghe An Trade Unions at all levels have implemented many practical and humane activities to accompany the children. Programs such as “Sharing love with children to school”, “Warm Mid-Autumn Festival”, “Sharing Tet”, “Summer Camp for orphans” have also been integrated to create a sustainable ecosystem to support children, not only materially but also spiritually.
In particular, the most profound impression must be mentioned is the Summer Camp for orphans - a gathering place for 200 energetic children. There are children from remote mountainous districts who leave their villages for the first time, their eyes still shy; there are children who are used to the lack of love, now for the first time sitting in a space with many friends, being called by their names in applause. The games, the paintings of dreams, the candles lit in the gratitude night... all become gentle memories that the children carry with them throughout their childhood. Many parents shed tears when seeing their children smiling, sociable, participating in the arts, even though they were previously quiet and introverted - these are the responses that moved us deeply. When saying goodbye to the Summer Camp, a child hugged the union officer and asked: "Will it be held again next year? I still want to go!"
What is special is that these programs are not only organized by the trade union alone, but always have close coordination with the women's union, local authorities and businesses, creating a sustainable and widespread socialized resource. Not only stopping at the provincial level, the coordination also spreads down to the communes and villages. The coordination not only helps avoid duplication and dispersion but also helps optimize resources, spreading love in the right place, at the right time.
PV:In the coming time, what orientations will the Provincial Labor Federation have to continue promoting the effectiveness of the "Godmother" Program in particular, as well as activities to care for children in difficult circumstances in general?
GrandmaNguyen Thi Thu Nhi:Programme "Godmother"will not stop at numbers or implementation stages, but will continue to be a long journey, requiring creativity, companionship and perseverance from the trade union organization.
In the coming time, we will identify some key directions. First, continue to maintain and expand the “Godmother” Program based on actual surveys, ensuring proper and targeted support. The number of children sponsored by trade unions at all levels out of the total number of orphans in the province will continue to increase, but not in a competitive way, but through long-term commitment, truly standing side by side with the children in their daily lives.
Second, strengthen social mobilization, promote resources from businesses, philanthropists, mass organizations, especially in the trade union system. We understand that the lives of workers and laborers are still difficult. But from within those difficulties, a very beautiful sentiment spreads - human love, love of colleagues, love of neighbors.
Third, we will coordinate activities to improve the spiritual life of the children, not just provide material support. Finally, we will also promote communication activities, spreading the role models of typical “godmothers” to multiply the spirit of sharing in the community.
PV:Thanks for the chat!
