Warm your heart with free meals
Near noon, in front of the gate of the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, the image of people giving free meals quietly giving each box of rice to patients and caregivers moved many people. It is not only a full meal, but also a sharing, a warmth of humanity in the busy streets.
Holding a rice box in his hand, Mr. Bui Truong (from Thanh Hoa) - a patient caregiver - choked up as he shared: "Each portion of rice like this helps me save tens of thousands, but more importantly, I feel cared for and shared. Amidst hospital worries, it is that kindness that has given strength to patients and their loved ones to steadfastly overcome difficulties".
"I took my wife from Thanh Hoa to the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion for treatment, and the hospital stayed for everything: medicine, travel... Every day I took care of meals. Now there are free meals, it is very easy to carry. In the meantime, everything is expensive, just saving a meal is already very precious. But more than material things, I feel cared for and not abandoned in the midst of a busy life, said Mr. Truong.
Mr. Phung Van Chuyen - a relative of the patient being treated at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion - shared: "Each meal at the canteen also costs about 40,000 VND/meal. If you eat out like that every day, where do you get the money to cover hospital fees and medicine? Luckily, with charity food like this, I can save some money and feel very warm."
Patients are struggling between treatment costs and illness, those meals are a lifebuoy. Not only does it help us save tens of thousands, but it also makes us feel that we are not alone in a strange city, said Mr. Chuyen.
From a promise to a persistent act
At first, Ms. Lien's volunteer work was simply to fulfill her promise to herself that if she overcame her illness, she would spend time working well and sharing the difficult lives. However, the more she is attached to and exposed to miserable circumstances, the more sympathy she has for and the desire to stay in this job for a long time.
Ms. Le Lien shared: "At first, I saw them as strangers, so when I saw diseases, blood, etc., I was often scared and haunted. But now, I consider them as my family, so empathy comes naturally.
From the initial 30 small portions of rice, then the cake, milk box... now, every three sessions a week, Ms. Lien and a group of support friends and an office kitchen regularly give away about 150 meals a day, sent to patients and their families being treated at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.
Ms. Lien said that many people came to receive rice very early, some sat waiting for hours just to make sure they didn't miss the portion. On days when the meals are distributed quickly and sold out early, seeing that someone is waiting for a long time but no longer available, she quickly calls the kitchen to order more, even if only a few meals are sold out, she can't help but feel hungry.
"Some days, we are already collecting, but some people still run around to ask if there is any rice left, and we have to arrange them for another day," Lien said choking up.
