Illustration Photo. Source: VNAThe Association for the Sponsorship of Impoverished Patients founded by the Steering Committee for the Southwest Region has committed to increasing support for the vulnerable community.
The pledge was made by Vice President of the association Nguyen Thanh Hai on August 9 during a ceremony to commence construction on its headquarters in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.
According to Hai, 5.8 percent of the regional population are currently living below the poverty line and 6.24 percent are hovering close to the line.
Established in July 2015, Hai’s charity has thus far raised 64 billion VND (2.95 million USD), 500 million VND (23,041 USD) of which was spent on five heart operations and 100 million VND (4,608 USD) to care for disadvantaged children.
The association has also organised free medical check-ups and treatment for more than 1,000 residents.
At the ceremony, it handed over 50 charitable houses worth over 5 billion VND (230,414 USD) to impoverished locals in Tra Vinh and Hau Giang and dioxin victims in the region, among others, while presenting 50 scholarships, each worth 1 million VND, to poor students.-VNA
