Joining hands to support disadvantaged children

Bringing warmth to children

In recent days, images of four siblings in Te Village, Hop Tien Commune, gathering around a meal with visitors who came to ask after them and offer encouragement have touched many people. Their father passed away in 2024, their mother is not at home, and their paternal grandmother is bedridden after suffering a stroke. Without direct parental care, the four children have had to rely on their eldest uncle.

After learning about their circumstances, the "Kindness on Wheels" initiative, together with Major Nguyen Van Tuyen, an officer of Hai Duong Ward Police; members of the Kind Heart Volunteer Group; and supporting partner THACO – Truong Hai Group JSC, visited the children, organized a family meal, and gave them new clothes and a scholarship worth VND 5 million.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross Society of Nhi Chieu Ward has actively called on organizations, businesses and philanthropists to join hands in caring for orphaned children, children with disabilities and those facing particularly difficult circumstances.

Nguyen Thi Nha, Vice Chairwoman of the Ward Red Cross Society, said that System Fan Global Group JSC and Duc Anh Global Group JSC regularly support the children by presenting gifts on holidays and during the Lunar New Year. These gifts help improve their living conditions and make them feel the care and encouragement of the community.

Such support has also taken practical forms to help children pursue their education. Recently, the Hai Phong Red Cross Society, in coordination with the People's Committee of Kien An Ward, presented 25 bicycles to students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the area. Each bicycle was worth VND 1.9 million, bringing the total funding to VND 47.5 million.

From warm family meals and holiday gifts to bicycles that help disadvantaged students get to school, each activity contributes to building a support network for vulnerable children in the port city.

Ensuring no vunerable child is left behind

One of the most far-reaching initiatives supporting orphaned children in Hai Phong is the "Foster Mothers – Love Connection" program, launched by the Hai Phong Women's Union in 2022.

Through identification of cases and connection of organizations, individuals and philanthropists, nearly 2,000 orphaned children have been sponsored under the program, with total pledged funding exceeding VND 19 billion. Many of them receive monthly financial assistance, educational support, healthcare and emotional encouragement.

Building on the results of the program, the city is expanding the model into the "Foster Parents" program for the 2026-2031 period. In March 2026, the city Women's Union and Confederation of Labor signed an agreement to jointly implement the program, mobilizing additional support from trade unions, agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals.

Alongside mobilizing social resources, the city is also working to improve policies to ensure children's rights. According to a report by the Department of Health, Hai Phong is home to approximately 9,614 children in special circumstances. The city is focusing on ensuring their fundamental rights, including the rights to life, healthcare, education, play, protection and participation in related matters.

Resolution No. 55/2025/NQ-HDND sets out support policies for children in special or difficult circumstances for the 2026-2030 period. Under the resolution, certain groups are eligible for monthly allowances and full coverage of health insurance contributions. Under Resolution No. 07/2026/NQ-HDND, children in special circumstances identified within the city are entitled to a Lunar New Year gift worth VND 1 million each. The city has also set the standard social assistance allowance at VND 700,000 per month. By September 30, 2026, more than 10,000 children had received support under these special policies, with total funding of about VND 130 billion.

PhD. Phan Huy Thuc, Deputy Director of the Hai Phong Department of Health, said child protection was gradually shifting from responding to individual cases toward greater emphasis on prevention, early detection, intervention and timely support. Interagency coordination in receiving reports, verifying cases and providing assistance to children has received increasing attention. Children's rights to healthcare, education, development and participation are upheld through a range of practical activities.

NGOC THANH