The burden of treatment costs and accommodation is always a constant concern for many patients from the provincial level to the Capital. Understanding those hardships, the Tu Tam and Hy Vong Xanh charity teams joined hands to build a model called "0-dong boarding house" at 07A Cau Buou street (Kien Hung, Hanoi).
This place not only brings peaceful sleep regardless of cost, but is also a solid spiritual support, adding a fire of willpower to the less fortunate lives on the journey to regain life.
Sharing with Lao Dong reporters, Ms. Le Thi Hau (from Lang Son, a patient being treated at K3 Tan Trieu Hospital) said that she has been attached to this 0-dong boarding house for the past 2 years.
Previously, when she did not know about this place, she had to struggle to move houses continuously. Since moving here, she has lived in a clean space without having to worry about room rental costs, reducing a very large burden.
Ms. Hoang Thuy Lan (patient at Tan Trieu K3 Hospital) shared that the free boarding house model has helped patients relieve some of their self-pity and hardship. Thanks to the warmth of humanity in the boarding house, cancer patients have more faith and steadfastness to continue fighting the disease.
It is known that the address on Cau Buou street is the second facility jointly operated by the Tu Tam and Hy Vong Xanh charity teams, maintained entirely by socialized resources. Expanding accommodation space is not only a practical solution to alleviate the worry of food and clothing for patients, but also a clear proof of the spirit of "healthy leaves protect torn leaves" that is spreading strongly in the community.
Regarding the operational process of the facility, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thom - Deputy Head of Tu Tam Charity Group said that the "0-dong Boarding House" model has been implemented in 2 facilities and maintained for the past 2 years.
Currently, the combination of two volunteer teams Tu Tam and Hy Vong Xanh is providing a total of 65 completely free accommodation beds for pediatric patients and patients in difficult circumstances.
Ms. Thom shared that at times when many patients register, the group flexibly adds folding beds or supports costs for patients to rent out, with the goal of leaving no one behind.
In addition to supporting patients with accommodation, the group also maintains regular weekly Wednesday gift distribution activities for both inpatients and outpatients. The gifts given include dried vermicelli, milk, and rice. Along with that, the volunteer group also organizes quarterly birthdays for pediatric patients being treated. Throughout these activities, the group's wish is to help patients reduce the economic burden to feel secure in treatment and recover soon.
Although the material value is not too large, these activities have a profound spiritual encouragement meaning for patients and their families. In simple rented rooms, what moves many people is not only the difficult circumstances or the pain of illness, but also the warm human love, sharing and support between lives in the same situation in the Capital.
