From that kitchen, meals of compassion, prepared with the utmost dedication by the team of chefs, kitchen assistants, and kind-hearted volunteers, have promptly shared the difficulties with poor patients and their relatives undergoing treatment at the hospital.
These "free" meals have always been a source of encouragement and strength, leaving a lasting impression on poor patients receiving treatment at the hospital.
A kitchen full of meaning and love.
Nearly 20 years ago, witnessing and understanding the difficult circumstances of poor patients receiving treatment at the hospital, the Board of Directors of the former Ninh Thuan Provincial General Hospital decided to dedicate a small corner of the hospital grounds to a charitable kitchen named "Understanding and Compassion". This decision not only carries profound humanitarian significance but also opens up opportunities for benevolent hearts to join hands and contribute to building a practical place of sharing, helping patients alleviate their worries and focus on their treatment.
According to Dr. Le Huy Thach, Director of Ninh Thuan General Hospital, the overwhelming worries of poor patients, from medication costs to daily living expenses, are a source of concern for everyone. When the "Understanding and Compassion" charity kitchen began operating, many individuals, philanthropists, and even the hospital's medical staff voluntarily contributed their efforts, resources, and moral support to keep the kitchen running, regularly providing free meals to patients and their families.
The kitchen is currently run by Venerable Nun Thich Nu Chon Ly, abbess of Phap Hai Pagoda (Ninh Hai commune). The nun stated that, thanks to the contributions of benefactors, the kitchen provides two free vegetarian meals daily, between 10:00 and 11:00 AM and between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. On average, the kitchen provides 600-800 meals per day, helping to provide encouragement to patients during their treatment journey.
According to the nun, thanks to the support of benefactors, the kitchen provides two free vegetarian meals daily, between 10:00 and 11:00 AM and between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. On average, the kitchen provides about 600-800 meals per day.
Ms. Pilao Thi Thinh (from Bac Ai commune) said that due to a serious illness, she had to undergo long-term treatment at the hospital. Her family is classified as poor, and the cost of medicine was already a huge burden. Now, the added expense of food for both the patient and the caregiver has made life even more difficult. Since receiving support from the "Understanding and Compassion" charity kitchen, her worries about meals have been somewhat alleviated. Every day at noon and in the afternoon, she and many other patients in difficult circumstances receive meals with a variety of delicious dishes carefully prepared by volunteers. "Without this kitchen, poor patients like us wouldn't know how to manage," she expressed.
Ms. Le Thi Giao Tram (40 years old, Go Gu village, Xuan Hai commune) faces many hardships. Not only is she struggling financially , but she is also battling a serious illness. For over two and a half years, she has regularly visited the Urology Department for dialysis. The prolonged treatment costs have made her already precarious life even more difficult. The free meals provided by the "Understanding and Compassion" charity kitchen have helped alleviate some of her burden, allowing her to focus on her treatment.
We need more strength.
As its name suggests, the "Understanding and Compassion" Charity Kitchen is a place that spreads human kindness, becoming a great source of motivation to help patients and their families overcome the difficulties of serious illness. The kitchen operates year-round with a simple wish: to see smiles on the faces of patients when they receive warm and loving meals, contributing to making patients and their families feel comforted during their visits and treatments at the hospital.
Ms. Le Thi Lac, the chef at the "Understanding and Compassion" charity kitchen, said that the cooking team consists of experienced professionals who always focus on preparing delicious and palatable meals for patients. Receiving praise brings joy and motivation to everyone. Despite the busy and arduous work, the volunteers find happiness in contributing to helping those in need.
According to the Director of Ninh Thuan General Hospital, Le Huy Thach, in addition to maintaining daily free meals, the kitchen also participates in many other charitable activities such as giving Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to child patients, giving Tet gifts to poor patients, and contributing to the construction and operation of the "Understanding and Caring" shelter for relatives caring for patients in difficult circumstances. These practical actions have contributed to spreading many positive values in the community.
At the kitchen, staff and volunteers strictly adhere to workplace etiquette, behaving courteously and respectfully towards patients and their families. Not only do they ensure daily meal portions with different dishes each day, but with the absolute priority of food safety and hygiene, the "Understanding and Caring" Charity Kitchen also strictly adheres to food safety regulations during meal preparation, following proper procedures for sample retention, distribution, and food storage.
Representatives from the "Understanding and Compassion" Charity Kitchen Management Board stated that since its inception, the kitchen has not recorded any food safety incidents. Ingredients are carefully selected and have clear origins; the preparation and cooking processes are always clean and adhere to standards.
It can be affirmed that, over the years, the "Understanding and Compassion" Charity Kitchen at Ninh Thuan General Hospital has become a warm haven for poor patients and their families. However, to maintain the kitchen's sustainable operation, especially in a context where many difficult circumstances still need support, the kitchen urgently needs compassionate hands to share and assist; contributing to providing the kitchen with additional resources to maintain these meaningful meals, instilling hope and easing the burden on patients during their treatment at the hospital.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/nguoi-tot-viec-tot/bep-an-tu-thien-hieu-va-thuong-20260227085413569.htm
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