Connecting hearts and sharing

In the charity program “Connecting hearts and sharing” running for over 1 year, Van Thang Ward Fatherland Front Committee, Nha Trang City in cooperation with associations and organizations has offered thousands of breakfast portions and gifts to the disadvantaged.

 

Charity breakfast

 

One day in mid-June, Van Thang Ward officials started with the charity breakfast service at 5am and got ready at 6am for handing out free bread to poor people, mostly lottery ticket sellers, motorcycle taxi riders and scrap collectors. All 100 loaves of bread were handed out just after 1 hour.

 

“I have worked as lottery ticket seller for 2 years. With unstable income, I have to save money and I rarely have breakfast. We are so grateful for the bread giveaway. We appreciate the kindness and compassion,” says Nguyen Thi Mai from Phu Yen Province.

 

 

 

The charity breakfast in the charity program “Connecting hearts and sharing” initiated in 2018 to help the poor. The free food is delivered twice or once on Saturday a week based on the amount of funds raised. A portion contains bread, rice or noodles. It’s pure charity. At first, people seemed to be reluctant to get the bread for free so we had to find the needy on the street and give them the food. Now, the charity service is known to many, so those in need stop by to get free food themselves.

 

Especially, many benefactors, including businessmen have come to donate to the charity program. After 1 year, 1,600 breakfast portions funded by the Ward Fatherland Front Committee, organizations, benefactors and ward staff have been delivered to the poor, according to Nguyen Thi Cam Nhung, Chairperson of Van Thang Ward Fatherland Front Committee.

 

Connecting hearts 

 

Apart from free meals for the poor, Van Thang Ward Fatherland Front Committee has also mobilized religious organizations, benefactors and individuals to donate to provide livelihood for poor women, present scholarships to poor students, and offer 450 gifts to SOS Children’s Village, children at Loc Tho Pagoda, Vinh Ngoc Commune, poor and disabled people. In the Action Month for the Poor 2018, the program offered 55 gifts to flood victims and poor patients in the ward. Besides, 72 gifts totaling more than VND14 million were offered to poor people affected by Toraji Storm in Phuoc Thuong Village, Phuoc Dong Commune in 2018.

 

In addition, Van Thang Ward Fatherland Front Committee has mobilized Nguyen Thi Hoai Phuong, Residential Quarter 1 Van Trung to donate 20kg/ month to a poor family; Nguyen Minh Duc, Van Phuoc 2 to offer 50 gifts worth VND10 million to the needy. On the recent Vesak Day, the program delivered free lunch to nearly 100 poor students in Loc Tho Pagoda thanks to nearly VND150 million aid from religious institutions and benefactors.

 

“The program has received much support from the ward staff as well as local residents. Some organizations, families and individuals in the ward have also donated cash for gifts offered to the needy. I hope the program will continue expanding, receiving support from many organizations and individuals; and reaching more people in need,” says Nguyen Thi Cam Nhung.

 

Khanh Ha

Translated by N.T