Dantri newspaper, in partnership with the Nhan My Commune People's Committee, Can Tho City, has begun construction of two new homes for disadvantaged families, with total funding of nearly VND 300 million (USD 11,450).
The project was made possible after Dantri published reports on the families' circumstances, prompting readers to donate towards new housing.
The family of Le Thi Phuc, 56, received VND 178.33 million (USD 6,810) in donations, while the family of Lam Van Tuan, 65, received VND 103.83 million (USD 3,960).
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Cao Minh Thom, chairman of the Nhan My Commune People's Committee, expressed gratitude to Dantri readers for helping the two households secure safe and permanent homes.
"I hope Dantri will continue working with our commune and other localities to help more disadvantaged people improve their lives. We will closely supervise construction to ensure the projects are completed on schedule and to a high standard so the families can move into safe and stable homes as soon as possible," Thom said.
Local authorities also said the Can Tho Red Cross Society had provided VND 20 million (USD 760) to Tuan's family and VND 30 million (USD 1,150) to Phuc to help cover medical expenses.
Representing the beneficiaries, Tuan became emotional as he thanked Dantri readers, donors and local authorities for making it possible for his family to own a permanent home after years of hardship.
At 65, Tuan still earns a living harvesting coconuts. His wife, Ho Thi Thanh Thuy, 52, has disabilities affecting both hands and works washing dishes at a local restaurant. Together they earn less than VND 200,000 (USD 7.60) a day, and have no income when work is unavailable. Despite their financial struggles, they continue supporting their only daughter, Lam Ho Ai Vy, who is preparing to enter grade 11.
"My wife and I are poor, ageing and living with disabilities, so no matter how hard we worked we could never afford to build or repair our house. For many years we lived in a home that leaked whenever it rained and flooded during bad weather. We always dreamed of having a proper place to live, and now that dream has finally come true," Tuan said.
Phuc, who had recently been discharged from hospital and remains in poor health, also expressed her gratitude as she prepared to move into a secure home with her son.
Her life has been marked by hardship. Her son was born deaf and unable to speak. After years of domestic abuse, she left her husband and spent a decade living away from home before returning to stay with her mother. Soon afterwards, she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, underwent surgery to remove part of her intestine and now lives with a permanent colostomy.
Recognising the family's severe hardship, poor health and inadequate housing, local authorities appealed for public support. Following Dantri's report, readers and charitable donors contributed enough funding to enable the family to build a safe home.
Under the approved plans, Tuan's house will measure 9 metres by 14 metres and cost about VND 130 million (USD 4,960) to build, while Phuc's home will measure 4 metres by 11 metres at a cost of around VND 150 million (USD 5,730). Construction of both homes is expected to be completed within one month.
Since April 2024, donations from Dantri/Dtinews readers have enabled the newspaper, working with local authorities, to begin construction of 281 homes for poor and disadvantaged families across Vietnam, with 239 already completed.
In addition to its housing programme, Dantri has funded the construction of 60 classrooms, 32 rural bridges and roads, and 100 floating flood shelters. The newspaper has also organised 40 free medical consultation programmes benefiting more than 7,000 people, provided 7,210 health insurance cards to disadvantaged students, and supported more than 6,000 families facing severe hardship.
The newspaper has also maintained programmes honouring war veterans and other national contributors during major public holidays and anniversaries, while providing emergency assistance to communities affected by natural disasters and other crises.
