Union members celebrate Tet happily in the Union Shelter

Dreams missed many times

Recalling the nearly 8 years of living in a cramped, damp house, Ms. Le Kim Lon - a member of the Trade Union of Vang Anh Kindergarten (Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City) - could not help but feel heartbroken.

“The old house was only big enough for one bed, the space was difficult to move around, damp and full of mosquitoes. Seeing our children living in such conditions, as parents, we felt very sorry, but had to endure because of the family's difficult economic conditions,” confided Ms. Kim Lon.

Her husband was sick and had to quit his job for treatment, so the female teacher is the main breadwinner of the family. With a teacher's salary, she still has to cover the family's living expenses, take care of her elderly mother and two young children, making Kim Lon's dream of a new home unfinished over time.

For union member Pham Thi Tuyet Lan - Trade Union of Thoi Hung 2 Primary School (Co Do District, Can Tho City) - the biggest dream is to have a decent home before retirement. However, due to difficult circumstances, year after year, that dream keeps falling through.

“Every time it rains, my whole family can hardly sleep. Sometimes we run around cleaning the house because of the rainwater, sometimes we have to stay at my younger brother’s house. In addition to working at the school, my husband and I also do gardening, but over the years we still cannot save enough money to improve our living conditions. My husband and I are getting older and the house is getting more and more dilapidated,” the female union member confided.

Waiting for Tet reunion

Completing the new house before the Lunar New Year, Ms. Kim Lon could not hide her happiness. This year's Tet of the female family will be more meaningful and complete when they can gather in a spacious house.

Ms. Kim Lon recounted that on the day she applied for the Trade Union Shelter, she was really nervous and when she heard that she was supported, the whole family burst into happiness. The dream of many years had come true, the children kept laughing and talking with their mother because they were living in a new home.

“My family has bought furniture to decorate the new house. Although we celebrate Tet frugally, it will be extremely cozy and meaningful. Because this is the first year the whole family will celebrate Tet in a new, spacious and clean house. I feel very lucky and also hope that there will be more Trade Union Shelters given to union members in difficult circumstances” - Ms. Kim Lon shared.

Returning to her new home before Tet, Tuyet Lan could not express her joy in words. Because when she was about to retire, her dream could come true.

The female union member confided: “This year, my family can celebrate New Year’s Eve in a new, cozy and happy house. The shelter not only helps union members settle down but also shows the union’s practical concern for the lives of workers. From this shelter, I will work hard, trust and be more attached to the union organization.”