In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse, we had the opportunity to accompany officials from the Provincial Red Cross Society to visit the Lan Nong residential area, Loi village, Cai Kinh commune.
Chosen as the venue for the "Compassionate Spring Meal" for 13 households in Lan Nong, the stilt house of Mr. Pham Van Dung (born in 1963) became warmer and more vibrant than usual. Around the fire, the villagers gathered, each doing their part: steaming sticky rice, pounding peanuts, wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), their calloused hands, accustomed to growing corn and peanuts, carefully tending to each banana leaf and grain of rice… conveying their wishes for a prosperous Tet holiday. In that atmosphere of togetherness, the Provincial Red Cross Society, in coordination with other units, organized the "Compassionate Spring Meal" program with many practical activities such as cleaning and decorating houses, arranging the five-fruit offering, wrapping banh chung, and cooking the New Year's Eve meal with the villagers. Also during the program, on behalf of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Cai Kinh commune donated 13 televisions. The Agricultural and Rural Development Bank, Provincial Branch, and the Provincial Red Cross Society presented Tet gifts to 13 households…the total value of the program exceeded 130 million VND.
By the fireplace, Mrs. Trieu Thi So (88 years old) said emotionally: "I came here as a daughter-in-law when I was 18, and I've witnessed so many difficult Tet holidays pass by. It's been a long time since the people here have been able to gather together like this. With a shared meal and laughter, Tet feels closer and warmer in our hearts."
Not only in Lan Nong, but it is known that in the past two years, every Lunar New Year, the Provincial Red Cross Society has coordinated the organization of "Compassionate Spring Meals" for households in extremely difficult circumstances. Since 2024 alone, the Provincial Red Cross Society has organized 18 "Compassionate Spring Meals" for 30 households in extremely difficult circumstances throughout the province. The meals include traditional dishes with the rich flavors of the Lunar New Year such as: banh chung (sticky rice cake), nem (spring rolls), chicken, gio (pork sausage)... prepared by the program participants and the households themselves.
Ms. Tran Thi Phuong Trinh, Vice President in charge of the Provincial Red Cross Society, said: “The ‘Compassionate Spring Meal’ program is not only about providing material support, but more importantly, about the way it is organized and implemented. Instead of handing out gifts and ending the program, Red Cross officials directly help people prepare meals, live together, and share experiences right in the people's homes. Through this, we contribute to spreading the spirit of solidarity and compassion so that Tet (Lunar New Year) is no longer a worry for the people, but a truly warm and meaningful occasion for family reunion.”
To ensure the program is implemented effectively and achieves its intended purpose, the Provincial Red Cross Society annually collaborates closely with local Party committees and authorities to review and compile a list of households facing particularly difficult circumstances, ensuring that the target group meets the actual needs. The selection process is conducted openly and transparently, prioritizing single-parent families, the elderly, and households severely affected by natural disasters and epidemics.
Notably, to broaden the scope of support, in addition to organizing communal meals for selected households, the association also proactively mobilized resources and solicited support from various levels of government, sectors, and businesses to donate additional gifts to many other disadvantaged households in the program's implementation area.
In the coming time, the Provincial Red Cross Society will continue to innovate its methods, expand the target groups and areas for implementing the "Compassionate Spring Meal" program, linking material assistance with sharing and providing long-term support to poor households and those in difficult circumstances. Through this, it will contribute to fostering a spirit of compassion, instilling confidence and motivation in disadvantaged households to gradually improve their lives.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/am-ap-nhung-bua-com-nghia-tinh-5077048.html
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