Võ Thanh Nhàn takes care of the green-skin pomelo trees in his garden. — Photo vov.vn

BẾN TRE — At the age of 70, former university lecturer Võ Thanh Nhàn never takes a moment’s rest. Since he returned to his hometown three years ago, Nhàn is always busy working to develop his community.

After retiring from his job in HCM City, Võ Thanh Nhàn, better known as Ba, came back to his hometown in An Phú Hamlet in Châu Thành District, Bến Tre Province.

Using his own savings and funds raised, he has been lending a hand in improving local infrastructure, building shelters, and providing support for the disadvantaged. 

Speaking to Voice of Việt Nam (VOV), local resident Bùi Xuân Thái said he and many people in the hamlet are delighted at the new concrete road.

Measuring 250 metres in length and 2.8 metres in width, the project costed a total of VNĐ180 million (US$7,860), of which Nhàn’s family donated VNĐ100 million ($4,360) while the rest came from the neighbourhood. 

Specialising in construction engineering, Nhàn himself took charge of design and construction to lower the expenses. 

Võ Thanh Nhàn speaks to a local resident on the road he helped build. — Photo vov.vn

Thái said: “Back then there was only Uncle Ba who returned and advocated to rebuild this road. Now people have seen benefits of the route, vehicles and ambulances can travel with no problem.

“It is really great, we can’t help but feel happy.”

In addition to providing financial support for the disadvantaged as Lunar New Year gifts, Nhàn also raised more than VNĐ200 million to help build a new house for a family in the hamlet.

Võ Thị Tâm, the house owner said: “If it was only me I can only build a very simple house. It is thanks to people’s help that I can have this spacious home, I’m really grateful.

“Uncle Nhàn does a lot to help poor people, anyone here who is in difficult circumstances, he would lend a hand.”

Nhàn said: “My wish is that wherever I dedicated my efforts to during my youth, when I got old I would return to my hometown. Now my wish is fulfilled. 

“My siblings and children are all successful in their education and their work, so I am in a position to contribute to society. 

“When I see something that needs to be done, but not everyone has the money, I would go and mobilise [resources], if it is still not enough then my family would lend a hand to take care of everything. When I do this I feel very delighted.”

Nhàn is also a current member of Bến Tre cooperative of green-skin pomelo, which allows him to help other farmers to grow this plant according to the GAP standards, increasing the export value of the produce. 

“Now I am working with my friends abroad to build 10 shelters each year,” said Nhàn.

“Other than that, I help the neighbourhood, the local People’s Committee and the Association of the Elderly if they need anything. 

“I work and mobilise funding to the best of my capacity, for the rest our family can contribute and help out.” — VNS