Charity kitchen in the border area

In the border area of ​​Binh Hiep commune, Tay Ninh province, there is a small corner filled with love, where each meal is not only a meal but also a sharing with difficult lives. That is the charity kitchen "Connecting love" located in Hamlet 3, Binh Hiep commune, maintained by volunteers of the Red Cross of Tuyen Thanh commune (former Kien Tuong town) for the past 6 years. Every month, the kitchen is lit on the 8th and 29th of the lunar calendar, giving away hundreds of free meals to patients and poor workers.

From early morning, the small kitchen was bustling with the sound of knives and chopping boards, laughter and conversation, dispelling the fatigue of the simple women. The “Connecting Love” kitchen with more than 30 volunteers took turns contributing their efforts and money, an average of 4 million VND per cooking session, providing 300-400 meals, sometimes hot rice, sometimes porridge or fried noodles, depending on the needs of the recipients. All were voluntary, no one received any remuneration, only holding a common belief: “Where there is difficulty, there is a heart to share”.

Volunteers of the Red Cross Society of Tuyen Thanh commune are busy preparing meals for poor patients.

Chairwoman of Tuyen Thanh Commune Red Cross Society Bui Thi Kim Ngan said: “Over the past 6 years, the Society’s volunteers have maintained the kitchen consistently and without interruption despite financial difficulties. The most valuable thing is that all activities come from the heart. Thanks to the solidarity of the sisters, the kitchen has become a place of charity, spreading the spirit of “mutual love and support” in the community.”

After 6 years, the “Connecting Love” kitchen has become a familiar support for patients being treated at Dong Thap Muoi Regional General Hospital (Kien Tuong Ward) as well as many households in difficult circumstances in the area. The kitchen’s persistent presence is a living testament to the spirit of “each person contributes a little, adding up to something great”, where kindness is nurtured by simple but meaningful actions.

Ms. Tran Thi Mai - a volunteer of the Red Cross Society of the commune, shared: “I have been attached to the kitchen since the early days. There was a shortage of staff, so the sisters had to go to the market from dawn, cook and divide the food. It was hard, but we sympathized with the people so we did not mind. Just looking at the poor people receiving their meals and being happy made me feel that all the efforts were worth it.”

That is why, despite being busy with work and family, many Red Cross volunteers still proactively arrange their time to contribute to the charity kitchen. Ms. Ha Thi Ngoc Giau - a Red Cross volunteer, confided: "There was a day when the sisters cooked more than 400 meals, everyone was tired but very happy! I have been attached to this kitchen for a long time, there are many memories, if I don't go to the kitchen, I miss it."

Patients at Dong Thap Muoi Regional General Hospital (Kien Tuong Ward) receive free meals

Those meaningful meals have touched the hearts of many people in difficult times. For patients who are still being treated, it is not only a meal but also a spiritual encouragement. Ms. Nguyen Thi Nam, a patient being treated at Dong Thap Muoi Regional General Hospital, emotionally said: “I am sick, the medicine is expensive, thanks to the charity kitchen I am somewhat better. Receiving a hot meal from the ladies here is like having a family member taking care of me!”

For the poor, those who have to work hard to make a living every day, the charity kitchen is even more meaningful. Mr. Pham Van Minh, who has been making a living selling lottery tickets for more than 10 years, confided: "Every day the kitchen cooks, I stop by, this meaningful meal is so precious! The ladies are cheerful, asking questions like family."

Thanks to the persistent cooperation of more than 30 volunteers, the “Connecting Love” kitchen is still regularly lit, becoming a bright spot in the local humanitarian movement. Without noise, twice a month, the small kitchen in Hamlet 3 is warmed by human love.

Each meal given is a seed of love sown, each laugh in the kitchen is a warm beat of affection spread. And the perseverance of the Red Cross volunteers of Tuyen Thanh commune over the past 6 years has proven that: where there is love, there is a warm fire that never goes out./.

NH

Source: https://baolongan.vn/bep-an-nghia-tinh-giua-vung-bien-a207062.html