Ms. Thuy Tien receives vegetarian bread to donate to those in need. Photo: provided by the subject.
We first met Ms. Truong Tran Thuy Tien two years ago during a visit to the Dong Thuan Ward Shelter in Binh Minh town, Vinh Long province (formerly), which cares for elderly people living alone. Ms. Tien is a volunteer at the shelter, caring for the elderly and assisting with other tasks. She is cheerful, massages their hands and feet, and feeds the frail elderly. Although unpaid, for four years she has driven her motorbike from Can Tho to Vinh Long every day to care for the elderly. She also helps out at a charitable traditional medicine clinic across from the shelter.
Recently, I met her again while she was distributing vegetarian bread to the needy, and learned that she had temporarily left the shelter about a year and a half ago and was focusing on personal charitable activities. Because she knows many charitable groups and individuals, Ms. Tien acts as a bridge to deliver food to those in need. For example, every other Monday morning, she receives 100 loaves of bread from Ms. Tu's group in alley 38, 3rd of February Street, and distributes them to the needy at hospitals, temples, and boarding houses. Every Thursday, she distributes 40-50 boxes of vegetarian noodles from a relative on Nguyen Van Linh Street. On the 14th, 15th, 29th, and 30th of the lunar month, she distributes vegetarian meals, with Ms. Tien personally cooking 50 portions each day on the 14th and 29th. As for the 15th and 30th, she receives meals from Ms. Hanh's group on Le Anh Xuan Street… In each place where she receives meals to distribute, she contributes money or some of the ingredients to support the effort.
In addition, Ms. Tien provides support to approximately 20 households, including elderly people living alone or impoverished families, giving them a monthly gift package consisting of 10kg of rice, a box of instant noodles, a box of coffee, and 1kg of sugar. These households are located in Binh Thuy ward (Can Tho) and several communes and wards in Vinh Long . She personally purchases the goods and delivers them to each household. She also has connections with several charitable traditional medicine clinics, receiving various types of herbal medicine in pill form and packaging them to donate to those in need. She also orders medicated oil and some Western medicines to treat common ailments such as colds, coughs, runny noses, and backaches, providing them free of charge to disadvantaged people. When benefactors send large quantities of sweets, children's clothing, she distributes them to shelters and orphanages.
During a visit to Ms. Tien's home, I saw her busy sorting, washing, and drying a large amount of used clothes. She explained, "I collect used clothes and shoes from various sources, then I discard the damaged or unsuitable items, wash and dry the usable ones, sort them by type, pack them into bags, and send them by truck to charity organizations in remote areas for them to donate to needy people. These items are in excess for some but needed by others, so I act as a bridge."
Accompanying her in her charitable activities is Mr. Vo Minh Tri, who currently lives and works in Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Tri said: “We are friends and share a common desire to help those in need, so we cooperate in carrying out charitable activities. I provide most of the funding, while Ms. Tien puts in the effort. Occasionally, we donate wheelchairs to poor patients. In general, we do whatever we can to benefit society!”
Ms. Tien always tries to balance her household responsibilities with her social activities. She shared: “My mother became a nun many years ago, and I am also a Buddhist, so I find joy in doing good deeds and helping others. My husband works far from home, only coming home for a few days a month. My eldest son is almost 30 years old, lives independently, and has a stable job. My youngest daughter is in 12th grade this year. Therefore, I arrange my time for charitable activities.”
With her motorbike loaded with simple gifts, packets of medicine, and meals, Ms. Thuy Tien diligently and cheerfully travels along the roads to reach those in difficult circumstances.
CAT ANGEL
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/lay-viec-thien-lam-niem-vui-a188530.html
Comment (0)