Saigon still has a lot of love

In addition to supporting disadvantaged households in the neighborhood, Anh Thu also works with everyone to carry out programs such as "Green living - small actions make big changes", AST festival: Safe, clean, civilized to keep the environment green by planting trees, picking up trash around the living area, designing recycled items...

Anh Thu (right) presents gifts to the Fun Summer Class

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY AUTHOR

I still remember the last time I met her. It was on a rainy afternoon in Saigon, next to the boxes of vegetarian noodles still radiating heat. The girl was wearing a simple union shirt, sharing love through meals for the needy in Xom Chieu ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

It is known that this is not the first time she has done social work. For nearly 10 years since her first year of university, Anh Thu has devoted herself to and resonated with many unfortunate lives. Those works, as part of her youth, have nurtured in her a youth filled with humanity.

Participate in career orientation activities for children aged 16 - 18 years old

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY AUTHOR

Empathy from loss

Anh Thu was exposed to social work very early, when she was the Vice President of the CLC40A Association, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law. However, since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, Anh Thu has truly devoted herself to giving from the command of her heart. The barriers, protective gear, ambulance sirens or the heart-rending cries of the houses in the alley when the pandemic "swept" through the city made the little girl far from home suddenly feel heartbroken in the midst of her rented room. Holding in her hands the bags of rice, bags of cakes or packages of vegetables distributed by volunteers, Anh Thu promised herself to multiply the kindness she received. At the fragile boundary between life and death, when "giving" is as important as a urgently needed dose of vaccine, Anh Thu suddenly realized the true meaning of community activities.

So, when the city gradually recovered, twice a month, Anh Thu would participate in cooking and distributing vegetarian food at the Kitchen of Love organized by Ward 16, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City (now Xom Chieu Ward), and at the same time coordinate to maintain the zero-dong vegetable market for the disadvantaged in the ward.

Anh Thu (left cover) and the uncles and aunts in the neighborhood management board in front of rows of vegetables grown in discarded plastic bottles.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY AUTHOR

Anh Thu also volunteered to participate in the community activities of the ward as a member of the Youth Union, and from then on, Anh Thu worked tirelessly in social work regardless of the sun or rain. Sometimes it was organizing summer activities for children of the ward; sometimes it was organizing a pink birthday celebration program for children in difficult circumstances; participating in career orientation activities for 16-18 year olds, teaching in charity classes; giving gifts, playing with children in border areas...

In particular, when supporting children affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Anh Thu suddenly understood that not all wounds can heal, perhaps time makes people gradually forget the pain and learn to move forward. Social work is an activity that brings compensation in love and humanity to them. So, the little girl just kept on "giving".

Organizing an English playground for neighborhood children, part of the 2024 Fun Summer Class program

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY AUTHOR

Give and take

In addition to the social work of the ward, Anh Thu also established the Atichi Youth Union under her own company to carry out community work. The 27-year-old girl, who started her own business from scratch, although she has not been able to gain a foothold in the market, has managed to set aside a small corner to carry out public service activities.

"Do you ever feel tired?" - looking at Thu's smile, I suddenly asked.

The girl was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Yes. The peak activity periods of the ward coincided with the time I was working on my master's thesis, and then the company's work... making my 24 hours seem to be torn into tiny pieces. The stress and pressure affected my psychology and health quite a bit."

Having said that, Anh Thu smiled softly and added: "But I never want to stop doing community activities". The girl's eyes sparkled when talking about giving and receiving: "I give time, money, and effort, but I also receive a lot in return. I have more friends, more experiences, and lessons to grow up day by day. Every smile that the children give me is a sedative, soothing the stress in life. I feel like I am a valuable person when I still have something to give".

It's just the beginning

On June 24, 2024, after 10 years of being a member of the Youth Union, Anh Thu was honored to be admitted to the Party. The little girl in the green shirt suddenly felt the responsibility on her shoulders heavier than before.

Anh Thu shared that she will continue to do social work with the local Youth Union and through her business activities. Because everything is just beginning!

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sai-gon-con-lam-chu-thuong-185250818105821458.htm