The charity kitchen at Khanh Hoa Hospital opens at 5:30 everyday. For nearly 15 years of operation, the kitchen has provided free meals for poor patients...
The charity kitchen at Khanh Hoa Hospital opens at 5:30 everyday. For nearly 15 years of operation, the kitchen has provided free meals for poor patients.
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| Commander Ha Thi Mai (left) gives gifts to residents in Son Thai Commune, Khanh Vinh District. |
At present, the kitchen is serving 170-200 patients with nearly 500 free portions worth VND45,000/ day. 50 staff are working on 7 shifts from Monday to Sunday. The kitchen had initially 15 volunteers, serving nearly 50 portions. The kitchen operates thanks to the great effort and contribution of volunteers and benefactors, according to 59-year-old Huynh Thi Hoa, Head of the charity kitchen.
72-year-old Vo Thi Thuy Hong, in Ngoc Hiep Ward has been attached to the kitchen work since its foundation. “I am glad to serve meals to patients, helping them to recover from diseases. In spite of difficulties from its first days of foundation, the staff have tried their best to maintain the kitchen operation. Besides, the kitchen has received much concern and support from the hospital directorate,” says Vo Thi Thuy Hong.
Every Thursday, 80-year-old Bui Thi Thon, Vinh Thanh Commune, Nha Trang City rides her bike to the kitchen to work. She has joined the charity work for nearly 10 years and she hopes to stay healthy to continue joining hands to help the disadvantaged. M.A Nguyen Thuy Chau, Chief of the Nutrition Department, Khanh Hoa General Hospital says, “The free meals are so meaningful to the financially disadvantaged. It is important that they get enough food to recover from diseases soon."
For many people, retirement is the time for relax. However, Ha Thi Mai born in 1959, Loc Tho Ward, Nha Trang City is interested in charity work to help the unfortunate when she retires. She used to work at the Military Hospital 87 for several years, so she understands how the food aid means to poor patients. She wants to continue providing free meals for patients.
The hospital has provided favorable conditions for her to run the kitchen since 2010. She herself goes shopping, cooks and then serves food to the needy, 500 portions/ month have been offered over the past 6 years. Besides, she has donated cash and milk. Her charity work is worth nearly VND80 million/ year.
Vu Van Tieu, Political Manager of the Military Hospital 87 says, “When retired, Ha Thi Mai continues raising fund to give free food to poor patients to help take care of their health during treatment. In addition, she has also called for her relatives and friends’ donation to help an 87-year-old mother with a mentally-disordered son and an orphan grandchild; a 75-year-old woman with cancer living with an orphan grandchild in Dien Khanh District, etc; buy blankets for ethnic minority people in Khanh Vinh District, offer Moon Festival presents to orphans at Phuoc Tuong Pagoda, Phuoc Dong Commune, Nha Trang City; donate school things, clothes and shoes to children at Son Thai Primary School, Khanh Vinh District, etc in Khanh Hoa Province.
Huong Quynh
Translated by N.T
