At the ground breaking ceremony
The two homes, valued at over VND 189 million (approximately USD 7,400), are being built for Nguyen Thi Huynh, 77, and Nguyen Thi Hong Tham, 50, with funding contributed by Dantri readers.
Huynh’s new house is expected to cover 48 square metres, with an estimated cost of VND 150 million. The remaining funds needed for completion will be provided by her children. Tham’s house will cover 40 square metres and is expected to be completed within one month.
Huynh has endured the loss of her husband and four of her children over the past five years. Her fifth son, Duong Van Trung, passed away from stomach cancer in August 2024, leaving behind two sons in Huynh’s care. The older boy, now 19, has had to leave school to support his younger brother, who is now in ninth grade. With her declining health, Huynh is unable to work, relying heavily on her second daughter’s family for daily living and medical expenses.
Nguyen Thi Huynh and her two grandsons now live in a small house which has badly deteriorated.
Tham’s husband died from a stroke in 2023. She suffers from a herniated disc and epilepsy, which prevent her from doing physically demanding work. Since her husband’s death, her daughter has dropped out of school to work. Their dilapidated former home was no longer habitable, forcing them to move into an abandoned riverside storeroom of just over 10 square metres, lent by a relative. The makeshift shelter offers little protection from heat, rain and frequent flooding caused by high tides.
Tham and her daughter currently live in an abandoned riverside storeroom of just over 10 square metres, lent by a relative.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Le Hoang Kinh, Chairman of the Tan Long Commune People’s Committee, praised the project for its humanitarian value. He expressed gratitude to Dantri readers for their support of vulnerable families and hoped the newspaper would continue serving as a bridge between donors and those in need.
Throughout the ceremony, Tham could not hide her joy. “I’ve always dreamed of a proper house,” she said. “Now, thanks to Dantri and its readers, that dream has come true.”
Huynh, despite her age and burdens, also expressed deep gratitude. “If one day I am no longer here, I’ll feel at peace knowing my grandchildren have a safe home,” she said emotionally.
In support of the government’s campaign to eliminate substandard housing, Dantri has pledged to build 200 houses for poor and near-poor families across Vietnam during 2024 and 2025.
To date, 177 houses have been launched, with 125 already completed. To fulfil the remaining goal of building 23 more homes, Dantri calls on readers, philanthropists and organisations to continue joining hands to help disadvantaged families realise their dream of safe housing.
