Helping tenants increase their income
Witnessing the scene of workers in the boarding house struggling to make a living, when work is unstable and overtime is unstable, Ms. Kim Hong does not have to watch. She travels everywhere, looking for simple processing jobs, bringing them back to work extra to increase her income. From tearing up plastic wires for a small fee of 3,000 VND/kg, to tens of thousands of ballpoint pencils that need to be installed with button tips, Ms. Hong is not afraid of any work, as long as she can help workers in rentals.
"Making a ballpoint pen every day would probably cost about 30,000 VND, and workers in the boarding house could add money to the market and food. That amount of money may not be large, but in the midst of difficulties, it is so valuable, Ms. Hong shared.
To have a source of goods, Ms. Hong did not hesitate to ask anyone, from friends at the market to acquaintances at local gatherings. She carefully checks each job, refusing things that are too difficult or have inappropriate wages, because she understands that workers in rentals have worked hard enough.
Ms. Vu Thi Ha, from Ha Tinh, a worker at PouYuen Company Limited, one of the people who received processed goods from Ms. Hong, emotionally shared: My daughter and I work together in processing. The work is also easy and has more income, so everyone in the boarding house really likes it".
A boarding house full of love
Ms. Hong's boarding house is not only a place to live, but also a shelter, where poor workers rely on each other. From the early days as a house with leaves and corrugated iron walls, it has now become two rows of spacious high-rise buildings, that boarding house has witnessed many ups and downs in life.
While surrounding rental areas compete to increase prices, Ms. Hong has maintained the rental price of 1 - 1.1 million VND/room/month for many years. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she did not hesitate to reduce 300,000 VND/room, even a 50% discount for rooms rented by preschool teachers. Recently, when many workers have lost their jobs and cannot pay their rent, she is willing to pay off the debt.
"I live in life, I help whoever I can," Ms. Hong confided. It is not just a matter of words, but a practical action, the heart of the female landlord. Ms. Hong has turned her boarding house into a love oasis, where poor workers find sharing and protection amid difficult life.
"I have been in this boarding house for nearly ten years and I did not want to leave because of the affection and meaning that Ms. Hong, the boarding house owner, has for the poor workers here," said Ms. Trang - a worker at the boarding house.
