Health check-ups for the old in Binh Da ward

Mr Nguyen Hong Anh, Chairman of Binh Da Red Cross Association said that Binh Da ward lies by 3 large industrial zones of Dong Nai province, next to Dong Nai bus station, thus the number of temporary residents having unstable income are quite high. According to the statistics made by the Red Cross Association, the whole ward currently has about 3.000 such residents. It is one of important figures that Binh Da Red Cross Association has paid much attention each year.

 “In order to well implement humanitarian mobilization, each member has to understand the value of humanity clearly” – it is the motto of Binh Da Red Cross Association since it was founded. That is a reason why the Association always focuses on its propaganda task. Chairman Nguyen Hong Anh told the reporter that we have paid special attention to disseminating the value of humanity. We often buy 5 Nhan Dao (Humanity) magazines each issue for our members to read as a reference. Every week, all members have updated online information on Vietnam Red Cross Association website. Through the radiocast system and quarterly activities among local residents, the social organizations coordinated with each other so as to the whole members could understand the regulations of the Red Cross Association.

Coordinating with other units, Binh Da Red Cross Association has launched such humanitarian movements as study encouragement, talent promotion, Day for the poor, compassion house building, and community health care, etc. Furthermore, the Association also held music performance to raise funds for Bien Hoa Blind Association.

Granting compassion house to Nguyen Van Thong and his family in Binh Da ward

The social organizations and other units has enthusiastically responded to the movement “Every organization and individual relates to a charitable address” launched by the Association. From 2005 till now, the movement has collected nearly VND1,500,000 billion as well as called for long-term assistance of 58 units and individuals for 21 poor, disabled households with the allowance worth from VND300,000 to VND500,000/month each.

One of charity activities implemented by Binh Da Red Cross Association every year is to organize health check-ups for the poor, old, disabled people. This activity has received the whole-hearted collaboration of National Psychiatric Hospital 2, Thong Nhat General Hospital, Bien Hoa IZ Hospital, and Dong Nai Children Hospital, etc. (over VND50 million, free health check-ups for 3,000 turns of people). Moreover, the Association also grants 75 free health insurance cards for the poor, 55 wheelchairs for the disabled, and 41 people received free eye surgery.

Granting scholarships to orange agent victims

Doan Van Kien who received the support from the charity activities of Binh Da Red Cross Association said in a voice choked with emotion “I have lost my two arms and felt difficult to do anything. But thanks to the gifts of the Association including VND30 million, a savings book worth VND4 million and 2 high- quality artificial arms, I could easily overcome my misfortune and now I am attending a vocational training course in Thu Duc district, Ho Chi Minh City”.

Binh Da Red Cross Association also founded a voluntary Blood Donation Club with 24 members who are always willing to donate their blood in case of emergency. The Association annually takes part in other activities to provide best conditions for local residents. Till now, 100% of the households in local are supplied with electricity and clean water for living activities. The number of hungry households was eliminated and the number of poor ones reduced to 11 (0.33%). These achievements of Binh Da Red Cross Association led to a typically excellent unit that was awarded medals, certificates of merit, and competition flags by Vietnam Red Cross Association in many consecutive years.

Reported by Dieu Linh, Translated by Minh Minh