I still remember visiting the Central Highlands to meet the community of students and entrepreneurs in Đắk Lắk. At the time, I felt moved to do charitable work for children because I had a young child myself. I thought that if I helped other children now, my child would later receive help from others along life's path. My child will have to stand on their own feet, but no one goes through life without inconveniencing others; that is unrealistic. All of us have to live, and all of us have to “bother” someone. Let us be happy and grateful for this. So if sincerely “planting seeds” now could bring even a little supportive connection to my child's future, I would be very willing. I know they will all have missions that help this world. My motivation is simply for myself and my family; there is nothing grand about it.
So I asked my entrepreneur students, “How can we provide sustainable charity to help children here in the Central Highlands?” And the question itself brought the answer. One student stood up and said, “Teacher, I know a few cases.” I replied, “Wonderful, then tomorrow morning let's set out to visit those children.” I needed to see with my own eyes, hear with my own ears, enter their homes, and speak directly with those children and their parents.
The next morning, he drove me and a few other students who also wanted to come along. He told me that he believed I could do it because I had not asked where the children were; as soon as I knew, I was ready to go, regardless of the distance, acting when I learned someone needed help. I had not paid much attention to that detail myself. I simply thought that when the time comes, we need to act to keep everything on its necessary course.
So we visited 4 children, 4 circumstances, and 4 families. Among them were 3 girls and 1 boy. What all the children shared was that, due to various factors including their local living environment, they all had a devastating illness: blood cancer.
I talked with each child, even asking about something that seemed like a luxury to them: “What is your dream?” We spoke with each parent to understand the family's circumstances and their views on treating their child. In some families, while the child sat there, the parents spoke at length about their hardship, using the child's situation to help others understand their circumstances. Of course, they were financially vulnerable, unsure where to find support, and leaning on any help available; I fully sympathize and do not blame them for that. But as the child sat there, I noticed a flicker of sadness in their eyes, as if thinking, “I am a problem for my parents and family.” That can enter the subconscious and affect their future. So I appreciate parents who speak positively while their children are present and describe their difficulties in detail only after the children have gone outside to play. This is also the advice I want to offer families.
There was one child we could not meet at home. Being persistent, we went to the school and right into the classroom to find and talk with the child. That is how I spent a few minutes as a “reluctant teacher” for preschoolers. I think I shared something with them. What I share usually comes from the heart, saying what my intuition tells me the audience most needs to hear, without preparing the content beforehand, so I often cannot remember my impromptu remarks. Oh, I think I also led them in a song :- )
Initially, I intended to support only 3 girls, because I have a daughter. But by chance, I met 1 boy. In the end, I decided to support all 4 children I had met, covering all medical and treatment expenses for all 4. In fact, this happened quite some time ago, but I had never spoken about it publicly. I continued quietly. To me, whether charity is done privately, publicly to inspire others, or for some win-win benefit, as long as someone truly receives help and real value is created, it is all good. This time, I did it quietly. If you do 10 things, talking about 2–3 is enough; by the 4th, people start thinking you are showing off, and by the 5th, they stop believing you and say you are exaggerating. I am sharing this now because there is something I need your help with.
Children with leukemia urgently need everyone's support. Even someone considered healthy can fall ill at any time; a body already battling leukemia every day has especially fragile defenses. The Fund continues to welcome 1-to-1 Companions to support each child on its list of 17 child patients followed from 2018 to the present.
Support arrangement: 1 Companion commits to at least 6 or 12 months of support, contributing 1–2 million per month according to the child's treatment costs. If the Companion encounters difficulties, they should give 1 month's notice so the Fund can make other arrangements and ensure uninterrupted support. The Companion may choose the child they wish to accompany from the current list of 17 children nationwide and is regarded as the child's “family member.” The Fund provides information and facilitates regular contact with the child. This is sustained, practical companionship, offering not only financial/material support but also emotional sharing, helping children understand that they are not victims of any injustice, feel grateful for the help they receive, and live with greater responsibility toward themselves, their families, and society. This is the kind of charity we should strive for.
List of children currently supported by the Fund: http://bit.ly/HoTroHangThang
Detailed profile of each child: http://giacmodoichanthienthan.com/category/ho-so-ho-tro/
If you feel a connection and wish to support any child, please contact us right away!
Fund contact information:
Hotline: 0903.84.80.83 (Ngọc Ngân)
Inbox: http://m.me/giacmodoichanthienthan
Email: [email protected]
Founder Tạ Minh Tuấn and the GMĐCTT Fund Executive Board
With heartfelt gratitude.