This morning, on January 26th, 2016, our delegation departed when Saigon remained blurred in the morning fog. The bustle and excitement of an industrial city was still giving way to the pristine and quiet atmosphere at dawn.
This was one of the annual charity trips which have become the sharing tradition of Gemadept Corporation. From the Company's head office located on Le Thanh Ton Street, after around 20 minutes rolling through the streets that were still not too crowded, our car turned onto National Highway No.13. Our destination this time was Binh Duc Social Center in Binh Duc Hamlet, Duc Hanh commune, Bu Gia Map District, Binh Phuoc Province which is under the HCMC Department of Labour – War Invalids and Social Affairs. There are more than 200 mental patients and 300 vagrants being taken care at the Center.
The delegation consisted of representatives of Gemadept’s Management, Union Executive Committee and staffs. After nearly 200 kilometers of long way, crossing even tough and mountainous terrain, we reached the Center in the joyful welcome of those unlucky people.
We were so surprised to be greeted with the performance of vagrants and especially mental patients with all their gratitude for our delegation. We came here with the desire to bring love and sharing to those unhappy people and it was so wonderful that we received as much love and warmth from them in return.
With the "Spring of warmth and love” message, the delegation donated the necessities, daily utensils and over 500 gifts of more than VND 60 Mil worth to the Center, contributing to better care of those people there.
And more significantly, the delegation held the "Family Meal of New Year’s Day 2016" for everyone at the Center in order to bring them warmth, smiles and meaningful spring, easing the pains of those people at Binh Duc Social Center.
Seeing the joyfulness, excitement and gratitude of those people on receiving our sharing, many of us could not hold back our tears. It was time when we learnt that happiness is giving, not just the receiving.
Another spring full of vitality is coming in our Vietnam fatherland. On sweet-briar branches, green buds are blooming. The country keeps on changing and developing; people's living condition has also been improved, but there are still those people who are unable to enjoy spring happiness, those who really need helping hands and sharing of each member in the society. We, Gemadept Corporation, with the responsibility towards the community and the traditional of "The good leaves protect the worn-out leaves", will contribute to further replicate the charity activities and to extend journeys of love and care to those people in need.
