"Sharing life and smiles"

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - For many years, the "Sharing Life and Smiles" group has delivered thousands of free bowls of porridge, loaves of bread, and cartons of milk to poor patients and those in difficult circumstances. This not only provides both spiritual and material support for the sick but also spreads a profound humanitarian message, demonstrating the spirit of mutual support and compassion within the community.

Members of the "Sharing Life and Smiles" group deliver hot bowls of porridge to impoverished patients.

Under the scorching summer sun, despite sweat dripping from their faces, the members of the "Sharing Life and Smiles" group still wore smiles as they delivered hot bowls of porridge to impoverished patients at the Provincial General Hospital. In a busy and urgent atmosphere, in just under an hour, hundreds of bowls of porridge were distributed to the patients. Taking a brief break, Mr. Vu Ngoc Lam, head of the "Sharing Life and Smiles" group, said: "With the desire to give love and share smiles to those in difficult circumstances, poor patients receiving treatment at hospitals in the province, and those being cared for and nurtured at Protection Center No. 2, we gathered kind-hearted people to establish the 'Sharing Life and Smiles' group in 2018. Initially, the group only attracted nearly 30 members, mainly students from universities and colleges and some local residents. The group operates on a completely voluntary basis, with all funding contributed by the members themselves."

To prepare hundreds of servings of porridge, every Wednesday, the group members gather at the cooking location from 3-4 AM. Each person has a task: some wash the rice, others pick herbs and prepare the ingredients, and some cook... all to ensure hot porridge is delivered promptly to those in need and impoverished patients. After some time, the group's meaningful and humane actions have spread widely, and the number of registered members has increased to 100. As more members joined, the funds raised also increased. Therefore, on average, the group cooks about 900-1,000 servings of porridge every Wednesday, and every Saturday, the group's volunteers also distribute bread and milk to poor patients receiving treatment at hospitals in the province and those being cared for at the No. 2 Protection Center. This helps to alleviate some of the financial burden for those battling illness.

Having joined the "Sharing Life and Smiles" group since its early days, Mr. Nguyen Huu Thang (Hac Thanh ward) said: "With the desire to contribute my small effort to cooking free bowls of porridge, or sharing free bread and milk for poor patients, I registered to join the 'Sharing Life and Smiles' group." To cook hundreds of bowls of porridge for poor patients, every Wednesday we have to gather at the cooking location very early to prepare ingredients and cook in time for delivery to the patients. During the cooking process, food safety and hygiene are always prioritized. In addition, because the target group is sick patients, we pay attention to cooking porridge that is both delicious and nutritious. The ingredients for cooking porridge are carefully selected, including rice, mung beans, lean meat, bone broth, etc. Although the bowls of porridge are small, they contain the dedication and affection of the group members, thereby giving strength and hope to the patients. "Poor patients overcome difficulties, contributing to building a united and compassionate community."

The meaningful, practical, and humane actions of the members of the "Sharing Life and Smiles" group have warmed and empowered poor patients. As someone accustomed to hospital visits, Mrs. NTM (Yen Ninh commune) was deeply moved: "My family is small, so I'm almost always alone when I go to the hospital. Furthermore, my family life is quite difficult; we have to save every penny to pay for hospital fees and medicine, so the free porridge has helped me save on expenses during my hospital stays. Therefore, not only me but also many poor patients battling illness every day deeply appreciate the kindness of the group members. I hope the group will continue to attract more members to act as a 'bridge' bringing love to the community and carry out even more meaningful actions."

The steaming bowls of porridge, loaves of bread, and cartons of milk provided by the "Sharing Life and Smiles" group have been spreading love throughout the community. Especially for patients in difficult circumstances, receiving these free bowls of porridge helps alleviate some of the financial burden, particularly during their long hospital stays. We hope the group will attract more members so they can continue to provide more bowls of porridge to impoverished patients.

Text and photos: Nguyen Dat

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chia-se-cuoc-life-and-smile-256970.htm