The two houses are being funded mainly by Dantri readers, with total donations of nearly VND 185 million (USD 7,100). Tan Tao University in Duc Hoa Commune, Tay Ninh, is providing an additional VND 25 million (USD 960) directly to the two families, while S68 Door Vietnam JSC in Di An Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, is donating all the doors for both homes.
The beneficiaries are Le Thi Buon, 70, from Dong Hamlet, and Huynh Van Kiet, 62, from Hau Loc Hamlet.
Local officials and partner organisations present symbolic boards to the two disadvantaged households at the groundbreaking ceremony (Photo: An Huy).
Both families are among the most disadvantaged households in Long Huu Commune. Their homes have deteriorated badly, no longer provide adequate living conditions and are at risk of losing their roofs or collapsing during heavy rain and strong winds.
After Dantri published stories about their circumstances, readers and benefactors donated VND 84,053,153 (USD 3,240) to Buon's family and VND 75,805,527 (USD 2,920) to Kiet's.
Buon, who is elderly and suffers from several illnesses, earns just VND 25,000-30,000 (about USD 1) a day doing casual work at local cashew-processing workshops. Kiet sells lottery tickets on the streets while supporting his daughter and infant grandchild. Neither family could afford to rebuild their home.
Buon was visibly moved as she received the support at the groundbreaking ceremony. The 70-year-old said she had once thought she would spend the rest of her life in her rotting wooden house. On rainy and windy days, she would sleep at a neighbour's home for fear that her own house might collapse.
Now, after years of hoping for a safe and sturdy home where she can spend her later years, that dream is close to becoming reality.
“Nearly VND 95 million (USD 3,660) is an enormous amount of money that I never thought I could have to build a house,” Buon said. “I sincerely thank Dantri readers and Tan Tao University for helping me raise the money to build my home, and S68 Door Vietnam for donating the doors.”
Kiet, who attended the ceremony with his daughter to receive more than VND 90 million (USD 3,470) towards a new home, said his life had been a struggle for decades.
He had taken on various jobs but could never afford a sturdy house for his family. As he grew older, the dream seemed increasingly out of reach.
Kiet said he was deeply touched that Dantri readers had provided such substantial support to rebuild the family home, giving his daughter and infant grandchild a secure place to live.
“I am very grateful to the readers and benefactors who have helped me fulfil my dream of rebuilding our home,” he said. “Once we have a new house, I will continue selling lottery tickets to support my grandchild's education and help my daughter learn a trade so she can find work.”
Nguyen Huu Duc, standing deputy secretary of the Party Committee of Long Huu Commune, far left, joins the two sponsoring organisations at the groundbreaking ceremony for the charity houses for the two households (Photo: An Huy).
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Huynh Phuong Khac Vu, deputy chairman of Long Huu Commune People's Committee, thanked Dantri's editorial team for mobilising donations to build homes for the two disadvantaged families.
Vu said the local authorities had always prioritised repairing and replacing deteriorating homes, but limited local resources meant the commune needed support from benefactors to help people in difficult circumstances.
The commune also thanked the two partner organisations for providing additional funding and doors for the new homes.
Over more than 21 years, with support from its readers, Dantri has built 60 classrooms, 32 community bridges and roads, and 100 flood-resistant floating homes. It has also organised 44 free health check-up and consultation programmes for nearly 9,200 people, provided 8,855 health insurance cards to disadvantaged students and supported more than 6,000 families facing particularly difficult circumstances.
Since April 2024, Dantri has worked with local authorities across Vietnam, using donations from its readers to start construction on 283 homes for poor, near-poor and disadvantaged households. Of these, 261 have been completed.