Nurturing the "green shoots"

(Baonghean) - In recent times, the care and protection of children has always been a priority for localities, departments, and organizations, helping children develop comprehensively in terms of morality, intellect, physical health, and aesthetics.

This year's International Children's Day was a special day for the children of Cua Lo Town. The "Listening to Children Speak" forum was recently held with the full participation of the town's leaders. Nearly 100 children, representing all ages, attended the event. Each child had their own thoughts and aspirations, but all understood that this was an opportunity for them to talk and have their questions and concerns answered. The discussion lasted only about two hours, but many questions were submitted on a wide range of topics.

The first question from Nguyen Khanh Linh, a 4th-grade student from Thu Thuy Primary School, "When will we be able to play free games?", received enthusiastic responses from the students present in the hall. Besides that, many other prominent issues related to social matters were of concern to the children, such as: "Children have the right to education, care, play, and recreation. But many children are unintentionally forced to work early to help their families. So what measures have the leaders taken to help those children in difficult circumstances?"...

Many seemingly simple questions surprise adults because, in the process of handling problems, they have long forgotten about children. For example: "I see that students currently strictly adhere to the school's rules and regulations, but teachers rarely organize programs to gather student feedback."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of the town, said: "We were truly surprised by the children's thoughts. The forum is an opportunity for us to understand them better, and on that basis, to find solutions to better ensure the implementation of children's rights, helping them to have more opportunities to confide in and share their difficulties and problems in life and in their studies with teachers, friends, and family."

Wheelchairs were donated to underprivileged but academically优秀 students in Tan Ky district during the 2015 Action Month for Children.

As is customary, June each year is considered "Month of Action for Children," with all attention and care focused on children, especially those who are sick, disadvantaged, or homeless. In Tan Ky, after the launch ceremony of the Month of Action for Children, we had the opportunity to visit and give gifts to Nguyen Thi Chi in Hamlet 6, Tan Huong Commune, together with the Children's Protection Fund. Everyone felt sorry for Chi because her father passed away when she was not yet 5 years old. Her mother later had an accident and became bedridden. With a difficult family situation, at only 12 years old, Chi had to shoulder all the responsibilities in the family. Despite the hardships, Chi is an excellent student, having been an outstanding student for six consecutive years. This school year, Chi won second prize in Mathematics and third prize in the English Olympic competition at the district level. Receiving a new bicycle made Chi very happy because it was a long-held dream of hers. Now she has a bicycle to go to school, help her mother go to the market, and take her mother to doctor's appointments.

According to the plan, from now until the end of June, the Provincial Children's Protection Fund will coordinate with many other units to help poor children. This includes coordinating with Military Hospital 4, the Logistics Department of the Military Region, to organize surgery for 90 cases of eye disabilities; coordinating with Dr. Le Duc To - Director of STO - Phuong Dong Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and the Provincial Rehabilitation Center to organize surgery for 50 cases of motor disabilities; and coordinating with Hoan My Hospital (Da Nang) to screen approximately 1,000 children in Nghi Loc, Yen Thanh, Nam Dan, Anh Son, and Con Cuong districts for heart disease.

In 2015, for the first time, 300 meaningful scholarships from the Zhishan Foundation (CI) Project Office in Hue were awarded to underprivileged students in the province. This program supports students from grade 3 upwards and will provide continuous support until they complete university, enabling disadvantaged students to build houses, purchase equipment and supplies, and receive books and clothing so they can focus on their studies. Upon receiving this scholarship, To Thi Ngoc Lan, a 5th-grade student from Ly Thanh Primary School (Yen Thanh district), wrote to the CI Project Office, sharing: "This school year, receiving this scholarship makes my whole family very happy. From now on, my family no longer has to worry about not having money for my education. I will try my best to study hard so I can go to university and become a teacher to help my parents."

Today, the "Children's Smile on June 1st" program, organized by students from the Nghe An 37 Youth for Community organization, has completed its preparations. This program, now in its second year, is for pediatric patients in the Cardiology Department of the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital and features a variety of activities: gift-giving to patients in difficult circumstances; games; folk dance performances; and cultural and artistic performances.

To prepare for this program, students from the Vinh Guitar Club and many other volunteers have been calling for and soliciting donations for over a month. They have been diligently practicing musical performances, making pinwheels and balloons, with the sole desire of "bringing laughter to child patients, so that they can have a truly meaningful Children's Day." For many years, numerous organizations have chosen the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital to organize volunteer activities to help disadvantaged child patients, such as: cooking charitable porridge, donating blood, giving gifts, and teaching literacy to patients with serious illnesses...

Participating in the second "Children's Smile on June 1st" program, Hoai An, a second-year student at Nghe An College of Education, said: "Preparing for this program is very hard work and takes a lot of time, but we feel very happy because we have contributed a small part to caring for and supporting children. This helps them to be optimistic and gives them more strength to overcome illness."

Summer day in the countryside. Photo: TC

Nghe An currently has over 900,000 children, accounting for nearly 30% of the population, of which more than 21,000 are in particularly difficult circumstances. Over the years, despite many socio-economic challenges, all levels of government and localities have focused their efforts on prioritizing goals for children. As a result, the work of protecting, caring for, and educating children has achieved many encouraging results, and most children have received attention regarding their health, education, and opportunities for healthy cultural and recreational activities, contributing to their holistic development in terms of morality, intellect, physical health, and aesthetics.

During the "Month of Action for Children" and Children's Day (June 1st), many activities were enthusiastically organized by localities, such as: gatherings to commend children who overcome difficulties and excel in their studies; organizing football tournaments for teenagers and children; "Military Semester"; the Red Phoenix Flower Singing Festival, folk singing, aerobic dance competitions; table tennis, badminton, chess tournaments and traditional games such as jump rope, tug-of-war, stick pushing; "Healthy and Talented Children" contests for preschool children...

Mr. Bui Quoc Dung, Head of the Child Protection and Care Department - Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said: In recent years, thanks to the efforts of all levels and sectors, the work of caring for and protecting children has seen many positive changes. Through these activities, children have been encouraged to excel in their studies and training, helping them to develop comprehensively.

Protecting, caring for, and educating children is the responsibility of families, schools, and society. Investing in children is investing in human resource development, contributing to the sustainable development of the country, and is also the most effective investment for the future. We believe that, based on the achievements already made, the work of caring for and protecting children will become even more effective in the future, aiming to create a favorable environment and conditions for children to be cared for, educated, and to play, ensuring their basic rights and allowing them to live in a safe, friendly, and healthy environment.

My Ha