Doing good: Nguyen Hoang Thai Tram asks people to hire her as a domestic help to raise funds for charity. She advertises herself on Facebook and has received many labour contracts. — Photo courtesy of Thai Tram's facebook

HA NOI (VNS)  — "I can cook and sing. I'm inspirational and a good listener. I have seven years of experience in sales and marketing."

This is how Nguyen Hoang Thai Tram of HCM City, 27, advertised when she decided to hire herself out as a household helper for charity.

"I can do housework, walk with you, listen to you and look after your children," her ad continued. "I refuse illegal work and other unsuitable things."

One day while riding her motorbike, Tram wondered how she could help the HIV-positive children she visits regularly at the Mai Tam Centre in Thu Duc District near her house. She decided to write a facebook status asking people to hire her for VND200,000 an hour, with all proceeds going toward Christmas presents for the children.

Tram said she wants to bring them the exciting feeling of having new things.

"I know, for children, the feeling of trying new clothes, removing the tags and opening a box of new toys, is so wonderful," Tram said.

She works as a marketing officer for a mobile phone company on Vo Van Tan Street, and has taken part in many charity projects in recent years.

Anyone can hire Tram between 6pm and 9pm from November 26 to December 23. Tram and her friends will visit Mai Tam Centre on December 24 at 9am to give the children Christmas presents. So far, she has earned VND3 million (US$150).

Inspired by others

Other young people's similar projects in HCM City inspired Tram to start her own, she said.

Doan Tran Anh Tuan, 27, CEO of a company in HCM City, posted a status on his Facebook in August asking people to hire him to walk dogs, baby-sit, take photos, type, paint, do housework and even pretend to be a boyfriend, all for VND200,000 an hour. Within one week, he received 70 replies.

His project, called Hire Me, attracted more young people to rent out their talents. The group donated all its revenue to poor children in the city.

Tram said there are many ways to do good things, and when one person starts a good thing, other people start taking part and spread its impact.

"Once I shared a friend's facebook status calling on people to help an old woman struggling to sell lemons, and other friends shared my status, and finally she received the help she needed," Tram said. "The kindness spread and it worked out.

"When I do charity and volunteer work, I receive much more than I give. I receive the happiness of sharing."

Joseph Nguyen wrote on Tram's facebook that he really appreciated her idea: "Although I don't know you, I admire you and your work. Thanks to your volunteer work, HIV-infected children will have a merry Christmas like other friends.

"I believe that many people will join hands with you to do other meaningful things for the community."

Tram also received indecent requests and comments expressing criticism, but compared with all the encouragement from other people, she said, the trouble was nothing to be concerned about. She said she can't wait until Christmas to bring presents to the children, but wishes she had more time to earn more for them. — VNS