After the Covid-19 pandemic, many children have to grow up in circumstances of absence of father or mother, facing difficulties both materially and spiritually when they are very young. For more than 4 years, the program'Together with children to continue life' by Tan Hiep Phat accompanied by Thanh Nien Newspaper and the joint efforts of organizations, businesses, and the community has contributed to helping them have more conditions to study, nurture dreams, firmly move forward, and grow up in life.
When ordinary things become wishes
In a rented room of less than 10m2 in a working quarter in Ho Chi Minh City, a father lived with his paternal grandparents and two young daughters for more than 20 years. After his wife died of Covid-19 in 2021, he single-handedly supported his family, both as a spiritual support and raising his two children to adulthood.
In recent years, he has driven a delivery truck to cover living expenses. However, at the end of 2025, neck muscle strain and cerebral ischemia forced him to temporarily take leave from treatment, making life, which was already difficult, even more difficult. What he is most worried about is that his young daughter, nearly 5 years old, still cannot go to school due to hyperactivity and language disorders.
The baby hasn't been able to speak clearly, hasn't taken care of herself, so I haven't dared to let her go to school," the father shared, his eyes silently watching his little daughter holding an old stuffed animal in the corner of the room. He said that in the most difficult period after the epidemic, the fact that his two children were long-term sponsored by Tan Hiep Phat helped him have more motivation to move forward: "This is a very large support for my family. I know at least my child still has a long-term companion.
Although life is still full of hardships, the two sisters still always make visitors feel their innocence, obedience and understanding beyond their age. A representative of Tan Hiep Phat shared: "Every time we visit, we see the little girl becoming more and more smart and bold. And her older sister is excited to bring out certificates of merit to show off to everyone.
This summer, the little girl's biggest wish is simply to be taken by her father to her parents' hometown for a few days. "We only come back once a year. I want you to go out for fun," the little girl said softly.
Accompanying them to continue nurturing their dreams
In a small house deep in an alley in Gia Dinh ward (HCMC), there is a mother who is still always alone carrying the burden of taking care of her two young children and grandparents after her husband passed away due to Covid-19. The house is low, cramped and often flooded every rainy season, but for many years it has been a place for the whole family to rely on each other to overcome adversity.
In the old days, when I was here, heavy rain would pour water out all night. Now I'm the only one left, so many times it's very hard," she shared with emotion. As a primary school teacher with a not too high income, she both teaches, takes care of her children and takes care of the economy for the whole family after losing her husband - the biggest pillar in the family.
After many years, the two children still often mention their father. There are days when she is sitting in class, she suddenly bursts into tears because she misses her father. Even so, the little girl is always obedient and nurtures the dream of becoming a police officer or soldier to "protect the country".
Thanks to the support of Tan Hiep Phat Company, my family also relieved some of the pressure of living expenses. Every Tet, Mid-Autumn Festival or International Children's Day, there are delegations visiting like this, my children and I are very happy and grateful," she shared emotionally.
Despite the lack of love from her father since childhood, she has always been polite, active and diligent in her studies. "When visiting her family, she excitedly told us about the summer activities she wanted to participate in to learn more social skills. Seeing her increasingly dynamic, confident and gradually overcoming sadness made us very touched," a representative of Tan Hiep Phat shared. "Perhaps she is gradually becoming stronger to continue pursuing her dreams.
After the pandemic, the most difficult thing for many families is not only overcoming loss, but also the long journey ahead when children grow up without a father or mother. Since 2022, Tan Hiep Phat has accompanied Thanh Nien Newspaper to implement the program "Joining children to continue life", providing long-term sponsorship for nearly 50 children orphaned by Covid-19 until they reach the age of 18. Not only supporting monthly living expenses, company staff also regularly visit and give gifts to children on special occasions such as holidays and Tet during the year.
More than 4 years of persistent companionship, those trips not only carry material support but also show the spirit of responsible living that Tan Hiep Phat always pursues with practical and long-term actions. Perhaps after all the losses left by the pandemic, the most precious thing for these children is not only support, but also the feeling that they always have community arms silently accompanying them.
