67 year-old Phan Thi Kim Tuy in Tan Lap Ward, Nha Trang City is known as the founder of charity kitchens in Khanh Hoa...
67 year-old Phan Thi Kim Tuy in Tan Lap Ward, Nha Trang City is known as the founder of charity kitchens in Khanh Hoa.
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| Phan Thi Kim Tuy (left) on a visit to the kitchen of Khanh Hoa General Hospital. |
She was born into a family of farmers in Binh Duong Commune, Thang Binh District, Quang Nam Province.
Phan Thi Kim Tuy began her career at Military-Civilian Hospital, region 5 in 1965 and then she was moved to work for Khanh Hoa Military-Civilian medicine in the two mountainous districts of Khanh Son and Khanh Vinh in June 1970. She worked at Khanh Hoa General Hospital after the national liberation date.
She has two sons but unfortunately, both of them are affected by the Agent Orange. Trying to overcome the feeling of deep depression, she applied for a physician course in Ho Chi Minh City. After 5 years, she graduated and continued working at Khanh Hoa General Hospital.
During the time working at the hospital, she grew pity for many poor patients who could not afford enough food. “I suggested founding a charity kitchen In 2002 and since then I have joined effort in raising funds for meals for the poor. Hundreds are offered free food every day,” she says.
The first charity kitchen, a non-profit community program, opened on December 9, 2002 with initial 15 members who volunteer to serve poor patients. She retired in 2008 and then founded Khanh Hoa Sponsoring Branch for Poor Patients with over 40 members.
“Phan Thi Kim Tuy is enthusiastic with charity work. She has spent most of her time on charity kitchens to help poor patients. What she has done is so meaningful to the poor,” says Dr. Nguyen Van Xang, Director of Khanh Hoa General Hospital.
The non-profit community program has been expanded to many other hospitals such as Khanh Hoa Psychiatrics Hospital, Dien Khanh Hospital, Khanh Son Hospital, Khanh Vinh Hospital, Cam Lam Hospital and Ninh Diem Hospital (Ninh Hoa Town). There have been 7 charity kitchens in Khanh Hoa Province so far. The Sponsoring Branch for Poor Patients raises over VND1.7 billion a year on average from individuals and organizations to donate to charity kitchens, benefiting some 200 poor patients a day. Each portion is worth VND25,000.
“In 2015, I plan to establish 2 more charity kitchens at Khanh Hoa Tropical Hospital, which is going to be put into operation, and Khanh Hoa Traditional Medicine & Rehabilitation Hospital,” she adds.
Besides fundraising for charity kitchens, the woman has suggested raising funds for poor patients and scholarships for their children. Her notable contribution has included the cooperation with Khanh Hoa General Hospital to provide free gynaecological examination for over 50 patients in the two mountainous districts of Khanh Vinh and Khanh Son and free medical check-ups and medicines for thousands of locals.
Especially, Phan Thi Kim Tuy is also accredited for mobilizing a US organization to fund medical instrument worth over VND10 billion at local hospitals. Her valuable contribution has partly shared poor patients’ financial burden, helping them to overcome difficulties in life.
N.T
