During the days of deep flooding in Dien Ban Tay commune (Da Nang city), the image of a small woman rowing a boat carrying bags of noodles and water boxes, winding through the rushing water has become familiar to the people of Thanh An village. That is Ms. Le Thi Vien, who is affectionately called "the boat type" by the people here because of her agility in rowing a boat through each floodwaters.
Born into a family of river workers, as a child, Ms. Vien and her father worked on boats, in every section of the river, every waterway around the village. Later, even though she got married and moved to a nearby place, she still retained the appearance of a river region, knowing each river and each bank.
In recent days, when floods rose rapidly, many residential areas in the commune were isolated, Ms. Vien became a bridge between relief groups and people in flooded areas. From early morning to late afternoon, she rowed a boat in and out in dozens of shifts to transport goods, bringing food and drinking water to each household.
"You know how many people are in each house, whether there are children or the elderly, who has received gifts, who has not... It should be easier for the groups to distribute," a volunteer shared.
According to the small boat of Ms. Vien and the Da Nang City Border Guard relief team, she handcuzzled the boat in the muddy water. When encountering the dry section, just looking through the water color, she immediately knew and skillfully changed the steering wheel to another direction. She rowed steadily, calling out the names of each household and each house as she walked.
As long as she is, she knows who needs water, which house lacks diapers for the baby, and where there are lonely elderly people who have not yet received gifts. Her voice resounds in the middle of the flood sea, and in the sound of waves waving at the boat's sides, like a familiar sound in the rainy season.
In just one hour, her boat and the group stopped by nearly a hundred households in the village. When she returned to the gathering point, she met another group of volunteers who also came to the flooded area but had no means of access. Without hesitation, Ms. Vien put the relief goods on the boat and continued the trip, even though the clock had already been 12 noon.
Ms. Vien's house is located on a high plot of land, so fortunately it was not flooded. But that did not mean she felt secure sitting at home watching the floodwaters. Even on days of pouring rain and cold wind, she still wore a raincoat and rowed a boat into the rushing water.
"We are more miserable than we, we know the country, know the roads, if we can help, then help," she shared with a smile. For her, the simple joy is to see others safe, have food, clean water, and someone asking for help.
Amidst the muddy floodwaters, the figure of a woman in the river region still persistently rowing a boat, carrying not only relief gift bags, but also the loyal heart of the people of Da Nang - where people are always ready to help each other in difficult times.
Millions of arms turn to compatriots affected by storms and floods
Consecutive storms and floods have caused many deaths, missing and injuries; many houses and production and business establishments have had their roofs blown off and suffered heavy damage. People across the northern mountainous provinces and the central provinces are struggling to cope with floods and heavy losses in human lives and property due to floods and thunderstorms.
"A piece of food when hungry is worth a package when full", with the spirit of mutual love that has always been a beautiful image of the Vietnamese people, the Golden Heart Social Charity Fund calls on domestic and foreign philanthropists to join hands to share with people affected by floods to have food, clothing, shelter, students have books to go to school...
The Golden Heart Social Charity Fund would like to sincerely thank the precious feelings of agencies, businesses, and domestic and foreign philanthropists.
Please send any help to: Golden Heart Social Society Fund, No. 51 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. Phone: 024.39232756. Account number (STK): 113000000758 at Vietinbank Hoan Kiem Branch, Hanoi. STK: 0021000303088 - at Vietcombank - Hanoi Branch, STK: 12410001122556 - at BIDV - Hoan Kiem Branch. Or scan the following QR code:
