Veteran passionate about volunteering

From the time he received sympathy from the community while going to the hospital, veteran Phan Ngoc Phuong and his wife became 'fated' with charity work and vowed to be a bridge between philanthropists and the needy for the rest of their lives.

The heart of a soldier

We visited Duc Binh mountainous commune, Dak Lak province on a hot summer afternoon, where the people's lives still face many difficulties. When we arrived at An Hoa village, we asked about Mr. Phuong and Mrs. Ly's family, everyone enthusiastically showed us the way, they called Mr. Phuong "volunteer" because of his persistent journey over the past 8 years.

When we visited his house, we thought Mr. Phuong sold groceries, but that was not the case. The petite veteran with dark skin and a gentle smile said that this was a zero-dong store for the poor. "Those who are in need can come and take, those who have extra can give. They mainly sell necessities, old clothes, shoes, school supplies, etc. I have maintained this model for 5 years now," said Mr. Phuong.

Mr. Phuong gives gifts to students. PHOTO: NVCC

This year, Mr. Phuong turned 65. He recalled that in his youth, he voluntarily enlisted in the army in 1981, served in the army for 4 years, and was discharged in 1985. Returning to his hometown, Mr. Phuong worked as a woodcutter and participated in the activities of the Veterans Association of the commune. It seemed that his old age would not have any "turns", but a surprise came in 2017 when he and his wife went to Ho Chi Minh City to treat cerebral anemia and herniated disc.

"I was extremely surprised and touched when I saw volunteer groups taking turns giving porridge and gifts to patients even though they were all strangers to each other. From then on, I realized that giving is forever and anyone can do charity. I don't have the financial means, but I have a heart. I will be a bridge connecting kindness and spreading love," said Mr. Phuong.

After returning from the medical trip, Mr. Phuong took the last 200,000 VND and borrowed another 200,000 VND to cook the first pot of charity porridge with his wife. He and his wife devoted all their love to cooking a pot of porridge with delicious rice, minced meat, taro... divided into 100 portions and invited the elderly, the lonely, and children in the commune to eat. Upon hearing the news, Mr. Phuong's 3 children called and supported their parents with some money, and with the addition of some kind-hearted people, Mr. Phuong was determined to maintain the pot of love porridge regularly twice a week on Thursday and Sunday.

Mr. Phuong and Mrs. Ly have maintained the pot of love porridge regularly twice a week on Thursday and Sunday. PHOTO: NVCC

Diversified methods, financial transparency

I asked Mr. Phuong how an elderly man in the mountains could mobilize so many benefactors to support him. He just smiled and showed me a thick notebook that clearly recorded all the support from benefactors, from those who donated 50,000 VND to several million VND, all of which had their addresses and phone numbers clearly written down. Moreover, despite his old age, his children and grandchildren had guided him on how to use social networks, which helped Mr. Phuong connect with benefactors from all over the country.

"Anyone who supports and I bring money to help, I post on social media, without coveting a single penny because I am determined to be a connector, I have to do it well, transparently. Recently, I joined the Ho Chi Minh City Charity Group to be able to connect with more philanthropists as well as sustainably maintain the pot of love porridge," Mr. Phuong shared.

Indeed, when I visited Mr. Phuong's Zalo page, I could not believe that an elderly person like him could write articles, take photos, and record videos of each support case in such a clear and detailed manner. Each case was numbered by Mr. Phuong and allowed the needy to share their own circumstances, ensuring authenticity.

One of the activities that Mr. Phuong is most active in is calling for support for funeral expenses for the poor. He said that no matter how hard someone lived, when they die, they should be buried properly and expressed condolences. Up to now, Mr. Phuong has called for support for the burial of about 350 cases, mainly the elderly, ethnic minorities, and people who have had unfortunate accidents and are in difficult circumstances.

The most recent case is that of Mrs. Ksor H'Trúc, 85 years old, in Thu village, Song Hinh commune, who passed away on June 12. When he received the news, it was already dark but Mr. Phuong went to her house and called for support from benefactors. "She is an ethnic minority, her family's circumstances are very difficult, her daughter cannot arrange her funeral, and she has run out of money due to her mother's many years of medical treatment," Mr. Phuong shared.

In particular, Mr. Phuong said, there were times when 2-3 single people died at the same time at night. Upon receiving the news, he immediately went to the homeowner's house to verify and post a campaign article. Going from house to house, staying up all night to add up each amount of money...

Surprisingly, the more they volunteered, the healthier Mr. Phuong and Mrs. Ly became. "Since I started volunteering, my spirit has been more comfortable, and my illness is not as painful as before, so we have more motivation to do it every day," Mrs. Ly said.

Mr. Phuong gives monthly support to Ms. Vo Thi Duoc. PHOTO: NVCC

The journey never stops

Every day, Mr. Phuong proactively searches for difficult circumstances to help, from neighboring communes to districts in the province. Nguyen Doan Nhat Huy, 17 years old, from the same commune, is learning to repair motorbikes for free thanks to Mr. Phuong's connection. Huy is disabled, his father left and his mother went to work far away. Thanks to the care of Mr. Phuong and Mrs. Ly, Huy has finished 9th grade and is now preparing to have a job in hand.

Over the past 8 years, Mr. Phuong and Mrs. Ly have been a bridge to mobilize the construction of dozens of charity houses, donated hundreds of gifts, drilled nearly 20 new wells for poor families, donated nearly 150 wheelchairs to the disabled and supported dozens of students to go to school. In particular, they have connected with benefactors to support 15 households in difficult circumstances in the commune every month with necessities and cash. "My wife and I vow to continue doing this work as long as we are healthy, hoping to receive the support of more benefactors," Mr. Phuong shared.

Former Chairman of the Veterans Association of Duc Binh Tay Commune (Phu Yen Province - before the merger) Huynh Ngoc Thuong said: "Mr. Phuong is not only an active and dynamic member but also enthusiastically does charity work, helping people in need, always accompanied by Mrs. Ly and her children. Mr. Phuong also cares a lot about members who are war invalids, on anniversaries he always goes to collect gifts to give to war invalids and veterans in difficult circumstances. In 2023, Mr. Phuong was a typical example nationwide and received a certificate of merit from the Prime Minister".

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-cuu-chien-binh-say-me-lam-thien-nguyen-185250827113903014.htm