Mai Huong's silent volunteer journey

In modern life, amidst the hustle and bustle of making a living, there are still people who choose to live a simple, quiet life but leave a deep mark of kindness. Ms. Dinh Thi Mai Huong in Hai Duong ward is such a person.

On her 7-year volunteer journey, Ms. Dinh Thi Mai Huong has met many people with difficult lives. For her, giving makes life more meaningful.

From the heart to share…

Ms. Dinh Thi Mai Huong, born in 1983, and her husband, Mr. Tieu Tuan Hung, work at Dai Viet Bailiff Office (Le Thanh Nghi Ward). Due to the nature of their work, they often work in many provinces and cities, mostly in Lao Cai and Gia Lai .

It was from those business trips that Ms. Huong’s story of compassion was inspired. On each trip, witnessing the scene of children huddled in thin clothes in Lao Cai , or the elderly ethnic people in difficult circumstances in Gia Lai urged Ms. Huong to act.

At first, she only sent old clothes to charity groups. However, many times she wondered if the items she sent would reach the poor, if they would be given to them with sincere sharing. That concern made her determined to take action instead of sending them.

So, with her husband and children, she went to beg for clothes in the community, sometimes by bus, sometimes wrapped tightly in the trunk of the family car, then traveled long distances to difficult communes to give each set of clothes and each warm blanket to the needy.

From the beginning, she considered charity work a family affair. Even though her children were young, she taught them to sort their clothes, pack them neatly in bags, and more importantly, to save their pocket money to contribute to each trip. “My children contribute tens of thousands of dong each month, sometimes even hundreds of dong. The amount is not much, but they understand that they are also contributing to helping the poor. I want my children to understand that giving is happiness,” she shared.

The 8X mother believes that parents can give their children knowledge and money, but the most important thing is to give them a kind heart. "When they grow up, I believe they will live a kind life and love everyone," she said.

In the early days, she called on friends and colleagues to contribute clothes and blankets, but only a few small bags were received, but gradually people trusted her more and more, and the number of donations increased. It was the support of the community that gave her more motivation to continue her journey.

… to the trips to sow seeds of love

Every time she goes on a business trip with her husband, Ms. Dinh Thi Mai Huong takes the opportunity to "fill the car" with clothes and books to deliver to the poor.

Seven years is not a long time, but it is enough for Ms. Huong to leave her mark in many remote villages. She still remembers the time she donated clothes in Y Ti, Lao Cai. The children rushed out, their eyes shining when they held the thick coats. Some of them hugged the coats tightly to their chests as if they were afraid they would be taken away.

In Gia Lai, she met many Jrai and Bahnar elders who were moved when receiving new blankets. “They kept holding my hand and speaking in their ethnic language, which I didn’t understand, but I felt their gratitude,” she said.

Not only does she give out clothes, she also brings books and pens to students. Sometimes her children’s savings are used to buy dozens of new backpacks. “Seeing the children happily wearing their backpacks to school makes me so happy. Those moments give me the motivation to keep going,” she shared.

To have more money, her family chose to live more simply, shop less, limit unnecessary spending, and save money to organize trips. “My family is not rich, just ordinary workers, but I think we don’t need to wait until we are rich to do charity. As long as we have a heart and know how to save, anyone can give,” she said.

She also called on friends and neighbors to join hands. Some contributed clothes, others helped with transportation. Gradually, she became a “connector”, helping those who wanted to share find the right place to help.

“What is admirable about Ms. Huong is her perseverance. She doesn’t just get excited once and then stop, but year after year, consistently. The way she teaches her children to participate is also very admirable, because it is a way to sow the seeds of goodness in the younger generation,” commented a local women’s union official.

When asked what her greatest wish was when doing charity work, Huong simply replied that she only hoped her children would grow up with hearts that knew how to love and share. “I also hope that many other people, even just once, will try to give, to see that life is more meaningful,” she said.

The love that Ms. Dinh Thi Mai Huong sowed will last forever. That silent volunteer journey not only brings joy to those in difficult circumstances, but also sows seeds of love in children and the community.

HA KIEN

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/hanh-trinh-thien-nguyen-tham-lang-cua-chi-mai-huong-520230.html