Dantri/Dtinews Newspaper, in partnership with local authorities in Cao Bang Province, held a groundbreaking ceremony on December 12 to build seven houses for impoverished families in Doc Lap Commune, funded by reader donations totalling VND 420 million (approximately USD 17,800).
At the ceremony
At the event, Dantri/Dtinews' Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Xuan Toan thanked donors and readers for supporting the newspaper’s charitable activities, and expressed gratitude to provincial officials for facilitating the project.
Dantri/Dtinews' Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nguyen Xuan Toan speaks at the event.
Toan said a Dantri team visited the area in late October to assess damage after storms Bualoi and Matmo. Seeing the severe destruction, the newspaper decided to use reader contributions to help seven households whose homes collapsed, providing VND 60 million (about USD 2,500) per household to build new homes.
“We are truly happy to help make the dreams of these people come true on behalf of our readers and authorities,” Toan said.
Phan Van Dung, secretary of the Doc Lap Commune party committee, thanked the newspaper’s readers, saying the support not only helped families stabilise their lives but also gave them motivation to overcome poverty.
Phan Van Dung, secretary of the Doc Lap Commune party committee, speaks at the ceremony.
“We hope this compassionate programme will continue to spread positive values in the community,” Dung said.
At the ceremony, newspaper leaders and local officials also presented ten gift packages worth VND 1 million (about USD 42) each to households affected by recent storms, and donated warm blankets to the families receiving new homes.
After receiving the donation, 23-year-old Vang Thi Minh borrowed an additional VND 30 million (about USD 1,300) to build a larger, more solid house. She said her family felt lucky to have survived two consecutive storms and that with the support of readers, a new life is beginning. She is preparing to marry and will move into the new house with her husband. “I am very happy. Our old wooden house was dilapidated. This new home has been our family’s dream for a long time,” she said.
In response to the government’s campaign to end temporary and leaky homes, Dantri has set a goal to build 200 homes for poor and near-poor households across the country from 2024 to 2025. Since April 2024, 249 compassionate homes have been started, with 196 completed.
