Every Vietnamese person will always have a soft spot in their heart for the kindergarten teachers at Lang Nu Preschool, who meticulously folded each child's blanket and arranged their belongings. The people of Lang Nu Hamlet (Bao Yen District, Lao Cai Province) have suffered greatly from the flash floods and landslides, especially the young. However, thanks to the outpouring of support from across the country, they now have a new future full of love, better living conditions, and access to quality education.
It is our sincere wish that every Vietnamese citizen will continue to spread the ideals of love, compassion and unity - qualities firmly rooted in our country's traditions - through today's commentary in the Words on the Street section of The Hanoi Times.
Lang Nu Preschool in Bao Yen District, Lao Cai Province, provides education to 38 children aged 0-5, 18 of whom are from Lang Nu hamlet.
Ten days ago, this village was buried under mud after flash floods and landslides. Nine of the eighteen children - the youngest was just 38 days old and the oldest was five - perished in the tragedy.
The terrible and chaotic moment Hoang Thi Nu, a nursery school teacher, watched the entire town destroyed by the raging floodwaters was still fresh in her mind.
The images of the children haunted Nu in her dreams over the ensuing days. She and her colleagues sorted through the deceased's belongings: their towels, bowls, cups and slippers.
"None of the children have their parents left. We have no choice but to send their belongings to their surviving relatives, as some have lost their entire family," the woman sobbed. "I wish I could see them again."
The tragedy of the flash flood affected not only the preschoolers but also many children of elementary and high school age, who endured unbearable loss and grief.
The flood claimed the lives of 13 students ranging from elementary to high school level and injured seven others.
One of them, Nguyen Van Hanh, a 12th grader at Bao Yen High School, lost his entire family in the disaster. He wanted to quit school and find a job.
Then there's six-year-old Hoang Thi Ngoc Lan, the only survivor of her family of six. She had just started first grade.
In light of the devastating losses that the children of Lang Nu Hamlet had to endure, Nguyen Xuan Khang, Principal of Marie Curie School in Hanoi, decided to adopt and provide for all children under the age of fifteen. Each child would receive VND3 million (US$122) per month until the age of eighteen.
This week, Principal Khang gave Nguyen Van Hanh his first financial support and embraced him as his grandchild, hoping he will continue his education and build a better future.
Meanwhile, he and local authorities are finalizing a list of children under the age of 15. Once the list is complete, the support program will be implemented immediately.
With tears in his eyes, Khang expressed his anguish at seeing the children of Lang Nu Hamlet unexpectedly orphaned, some of them losing their entire families.
He felt that adopting and supporting the children was the best way he could contribute to their well-being, ensuring that they would be nurtured and given the opportunity to pursue an education.
For little Lan, singer Hoa Minzy has stepped in and offered to adopt her. The singer expressed that her gesture is purely from the heart and that she will provide Lan with love and a complete family.
Worthy of note is Hoa Minzy's donation of VND500 million ($20,330) to the relief efforts in the flood-affected regions of northern Vietnam. She has also pledged to donate all the money she earns from her online store between September 14 and 20 to further support local communities.
Principal Khang and singer Hoa Minzy's acts of kindness go beyond simple altruism. They have a deep sense of empathy and responsibility for the future of children who are experiencing untold grief.
This is an inspiring tale of community spirit and kindness, especially in the face of natural tragedies that have brought many families to the brink of despair.
Many of the children of Lang Nu Hamlet have lost their families in this terrible catastrophe and now face an uncertain future without anyone to look after them or encourage them to further their education.
The choices taken by Marie Curie School, Principal Khang, and singer Hoa Minzy provide these kids hope in this difficult situation. It takes courage and a deep sense of humanity for them to be willing to adopt these surviving children, giving them hope for a better future with loving, caring families and education.
Their generosity exemplifies the spirit of solidarity that is fundamental to Vietnamese society. Their actions not only uplift society, but also send a powerful message of empathy and civic duty.
Reflecting on the actions of Principal Khang, Hoa Minzy, and others in the community, we see one clear truth: the spirit of humanity and solidarity is a lasting value of the Vietnamese people.
This energy is most radiant during difficult times, particularly when faced with natural disasters. Vietnamese people are always ready to lend a helping hand, whether it be through simple gestures or big decisions like adopting orphans.
I believe that in our ever-evolving and challenging society, acts of generosity such as those of Principal Khang and Hoa Minzy are exactly what we need to build a better world.
Adopting children from deceased families is more than a humanitarian gesture. These children will have the opportunity to continue their education, grow and build their future thanks to this social mission. Such actions help spread love and solidarity throughout the community, making society a better place for all.
The compassion and action of Principal Khang, singer Hoa Minzy, and the community have demonstrated that love and unity are enduring values of the Vietnamese people.
We must not only uphold these values in times of hardship but also continue to nurture and spread them in our daily lives. Society is much better when everyone is willing to support, care for, and share with each other.
The future of the children in Lang Nu Hamlet depends not only on financial or material support but also on the love, care, and compassion of the community.
Let us hope that people from all walks of life will be inspired by Principal Khang, singer Hoa Minzy, and others and work to spread these humanitarian values so that no one has to face hardship alone and love can guide every step forward in life.
