Warm Volunteer Journey In The Middle of Hanoi's Winter Night
In the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 epidemic, volunteering has gained significant attention. While many of these initiatives remain spontaneous and self-driven, lacking strict management, certain organizations and individuals have exploited the situation for impure motives. Nonetheless, there are numerous organizations, individuals, and groups that have undertaken genuine and practical charitable projects, actively contributing to the successful implementation of social security measures. Motivated by our strong desire to make a meaningful contribution, we have partnered with the Thien Tam Hanoi Charity Club to provide heartfelt gifts to the homeless community in Hanoi. Together, we aim to bring warmth and support to those in need.
boxes of sticky rice
hours
We embarked on a cross-city journey to reach Ms. Huong's residence in Long Bien. She prepared rice and chicken, ensuring proper packaging. We went to Gia Lam market for remaining supplies. We patiently waited for the chicken vendor to open. With fresh poultry in hand, we returned to Ms. Huong's residence to cook sticky rice and prepare fried chicken with mushrooms.
The sticky rice was soaked and cooked while Ms. Huong skillfully prepared the chicken and mushrooms. She made three pots of the dish and served sticky rice twice. The aroma filled the kitchen, exciting everyone. Ms. Huong expressed her dedication to contribute regularly to rice distributions.
As daylight faded, we packed the chicken and rice in separate bags. The team worked smoothly, dividing tasks. The sticky rice was arranged in foam boxes, topped with onions. The chicken and mushrooms were added, and the boxes were equipped with utensils and water.
The boxes looked visually appealing with golden sticky rice, onions, and flavorful chicken. Each box was secured in a plastic bag with utensils. At 8 pm, we set off to distribute the parcels of sticky rice.
A Love-giving Trip
Without a predetermined list of locations, our compassionate mission led us to navigate the inner city of Hanoi, seeking out individuals facing difficult circumstances to offer our nourishing food. As we arrived at the vicinity of Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital, the sheer number of homeless individuals lining both sides of Hai Ba Trung Street took us aback. Some fortunate souls had managed to wrap themselves in blankets, finding temporary respite from the cold, while others sat on door sills, their eyes fixed blankly upon the bustling flow of passersby. Determined to make a meaningful impact, our group divided into smaller teams, embarking on the dual mission of distributing the warm parcels of sticky rice and engaging in heartfelt conversations with these special "residents."
Having completed our distribution efforts in that area, we then made our way to the obstetrics department of Viet Duc Hospital. Luckily, on this occasion, we did not encounter any homeless individuals. With the group's unanimous decision, we proceeded to our next destination. Along the way, as we passed by the headquarters of Dai Doan Ket newspaper, a poignant sight unfolded before us—an elderly man diligently collecting trash along the roadside. Deeply moved by his plight, Linh, one of our dedicated volunteers, swiftly halted the vehicle, extending a package of sticky rice to him. It was moments like these that truly validated the profound words of Ms. Phuong, as the mixture of emotions stirred within us upon witnessing the recipients' gratitude and their heartfelt response to the act of charity—strange yet undeniably heartwarming.
People in the volunteering group often say to each other: “We give and then receive”. Not only distributed to the homeless, the gifts were also delivered by the group to late-night laborers. Right at the crossroads of Ba Trieu - Trang Thi, we had the opportunity to talk to Uncle Dung, an environmental sanitation worker who is on a shift from 6pm to 2pm.
Moving to the next location - the bus stop opposite 28 Tran Binh Trong, we observed countless unfortunate circumstances. Because they do not have a place to live, they decide to live their daily lives anywhere, even in public places. Here, there are a couple of mother and daughter hugging each other to keep warm, a family who lost their job and home and an old man who was recently released from jail.
Going a few hundred meters more is to Thien Quang lake. Here, our group had the opportunity to meet a little girl. She is still small, and yet alone sitting around a public toilet by the lake. Her father is in prison, her mother used to clean the house, so they can still stay in a house. It's been a long time, she doesn't even remember the last time she lived in a real house.
The group stopped at Hanoi Railway Station to hand out the last portions. So today's journey has come to an end. Indeed, in the heart of each of us, we do not know whether to be happy because we have completed the task or regret that we cannot help more people. However, the group hopes that, somewhere out there, if they do not receive our help, they can at least find a shelter in the middle of Hanoi.
_edited.jpg)
Let's listen to the stories of the characters
we met on the trip!
Thanh Hai Phong, 70 years old
I got caught just because I slept!
I am 70 years old this year, and have been living at this bus station for more than a year. In the past, my wife got sick, I had to sell all my house to get treatment, but now she is not alive anymore. Many times when I was sleeping, I was kicked out. I had to run to the Kim Lien tunnel to hide.
Actually, I just spent 8 months in prison, was arrested on Nguyen Dinh Chieu street on the 18th day of Tet. If you lie down to sleep, people will catch you! My wish now is to be supported by benefactors to rent a cheap house to have a decent place to live.
The End
In the coldness of early winter, we crossed the streets of Hanoi, holding boxes of hot sticky rice to share with people in difficult circumstances. The first emotions that this experience gave us were excitement: eager to be a part of this journey, eager to bring our gifts to help those less fortunate and eager to do something helpful.
But that feeling of excitement also gradually passed at each stop, upon meeting and talking with people. We feel more worried and anxious. Basic human necessities such as a place to return to, a bed to rest on, a blanket to cover, and a hot meal to quench hunger are luxuries for the less fortunate. Hiding in the dark corners of the city, these lives are always looking forward to receiving help from the community.
A small box of sticky rice prepared by us may not be enough to fill the empty stomachs that have been starved for a long time, but we believe it is enough to warm their hearts, let them know that there is still hope out there. There are good people willing to help with the spirit of "The leaves protect tattered ones". May life soon return to peace so that these difficult lives will soon find a livelihood so that they do not need to depend on help.
The small stories we tell today are just a short part of the long journeys of many volunteer groups. After this journey, we hope that there will be more support from the authorities, organizations and individuals for those in difficulty; not only in times of epidemics, but even in peaceful times.
_heic.png)
Our Volunteers'
Thoughts
Tran Ngoc Quynh
26 years old
Office worker
Worked at the club for 3 months
"I wish the club would not have to operate anymore, because as long as the club is active, there are still people in need out there."
Nguyen Thuy Linh
23 years old
Bartender
Worked at the club for 4 months
“After supporting oxygen to patients in Hanoi, I received a message from the patient's family for timely support to help him get healthy again. That text alone made me happy for a week.”
Nguyen Phan Minh
36 years old
Salesman
Worked at the club for 6 months
“The most memorable memory for me is when the we went to orphanages and lonely elderly people to give gifts on Mid-Autumn Festival. Seeing the children happily receiving gifts and having fun made me very moved.”
Contact us
Individuals and organizations wanting to contribute
for Thien Tam Hanoi Charity Club, please contact:
Ms. Dao Lan Phuong
Phone number: +84989441368
Email: phuongvi789@gmail.com
A "small but mighty" volunteering group
While still confused, not knowing where to start, we happened to know of Hanoi Thien Tam Charity Club (Hanoi Thien Tam Club) - a group specializing in organizing activities to support difficult individuals, affected by the epidemic in Hanoi. Unlike other charity groups with a fairly large number of members, Thien Tam Hanoi Charity Club only has 9 permanent volunteers, but the group's activities are still very neat and professional.
The group has been active for several months and how the members came together is also very coincidental. According to Ms. Dao Lan Phuong - the leader of the group, she has called on everyone on the Facebook group "Helping each other during the pandemic" to support the organization of charity activities. After only one working session, she and the volunteers became close and decided to form an official group.
Ms. Phuong as well as the members feel very happy to receive our proposal. After contacting and agreeing with Thien Tam Hanoi Charity Club, we decided to spend a day together to become volunteers of the group. The food for that day was prepared by Ms. Huong, the mother of a volunteer in the group.
Activities that Thien Tam Hanoi Charity Club has done
