Elderly residents take care of children at the charity home. — Photo giaoducthoidai.vn

NAM ĐỊNH — For the past two decades, Nguyễn Thị Hiên has dedicated her life to running a charity home that provides shelter and care for disadvantaged individuals.

Hiên, 64, from Nam Định Province, founded the charity home in 2007 with funds raised from donors across the country. Initially, she welcomed 10 elderly people with disabilities and no family into the shelter.

They supported each other in their daily lives, with the more able-bodied assisting those with greater needs.

However, the early years were challenging due to a lack of stable income.

"In the first few years, the shelter struggled financially because there was no steady source of income," Hiên said.

"We always had a deficit. I had to grow vegetables and rice to provide basic meals for everyone."

At times, when there was no money to sustain the shelter, Hiên had to borrow rice from neighbours and buy vegetables on credit to ensure everyone had enough to eat.

Things began to change in mid-2015 when a woman donated essential supplies to the shelter. This was the first time they had received such support, and it marked the beginning of a steady stream of donations from various charity groups.

"It appears that the initial donor shared information about the shelter with other donors," Hiên said.

The shelter initially focused on caring for the elderly but later expanded to include orphans and abandoned children. Hiên became a 'mother' to these children, ensuring they received an education.

Over the years, some children have reunited with their families, while others have started families of their own with her help.

After securing a cash donation, Hiên built an additional two-story house with separate rooms to provide the children with their own living and study spaces, separate from the elderly residents.

The shelter currently cares for 15 children, six under the age of five, four in primary school, four in middle school, and one in high school.

Hiên has worked tirelessly to secure funding for their education, ensuring that none are deprived of schooling.

Among the children, two-year-old Cao Ngọc Bảo Anh, who suffers from congenital heart disease, is a particular concern for Hiên. Bảo Anh was left at the shelter by her mother shortly after birth. She later refused to take her back despite Hiên's efforts to persuade her.

"Her mother knew about the heart condition but hid it. She said she was leaving Bảo Anh for a week due to financial difficulties but never came back," Hiên said.

The health of the elderly residents is also a priority. One of them, 90-year-old Phạm Thị Hương, who is blind and has been cared for by a local church for decades, now lives at the shelter. She receives frequent assistance as she suffers from age-related issues and mobility challenges caused by joint pain.

Another resident, Phạm Thị Ái, 78, suffers from high blood pressure and also receives constant care from others.

Despite the challenges, the residents consider the shelter a place of happiness.

"Although we are not related by blood, we live here like a family, caring for each other," said 70-year-old Hoàng Thị Nga, who has been with the shelter for nearly 20 years.

Over the past two decades, 15 elderly people and three children have passed away due to illness and old age. Hiên has ensured that their funerals were conducted with care and respect.

"The charity home is a family of over 30 people, mostly children and the elderly. We treat each other like family," Hiên said, reflecting on her long journey of providing care and support to those in need. — VNS