Gia Lai people burn fire all night, send packages of love to flood-prone areas

These days, while many areas in the East of Gia Lai province have just experienced the scene of being submerged in water due to historic floods, in the West, the roads and roofs are lit up by firelight, by the hearts reaching out to the people in the flooded areas. There are no loud calls, no ostentation, only simple people, voluntarily staying up all night by the fire, wrapping each cake, each gift as if sending their whole heart to share across streams and mountains to the most difficult places.

The sleepless stove in Gao commune

In village 6, Gao commune, from evening until dawn, red-hot fires are continuously burning. Smoke mixed with the morning mist, the crackling sound of firewood combined with the laughter of the people create a warm atmosphere in the cold, humid weather.

*People of Gao commune wrap banh tet to give to people in the flood-prone area. Photo: Hien Mai*

Dozens of people, from the elderly to the young men, were present. Some were tying bamboo strings, others were washing dong leaves; in another corner, some local soldiers were lighting a large stove to cook cakes; further away, a group of women were busy boiling eggs, braising meat, and preparing portions of braised shrimp paste, dishes familiar to the people here, now sent as a little taste of home to help people fight the cold and hunger during the flood.

Mr. Nguyen Dang Quang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Gao Commune, shared: "Seeing the scene of the people in the East devastated by the flood, everyone feels sorry. In Gao Commune, although most of the people are hard workers, the spirit of 'the rich help the poor' has never been lacking. People contribute labor and money, just hoping that these cakes and small jars of meat will reach the people when they need them most."

*Gao Commune receives necessities donated by people to cook food to send to people in the eastern part of the province. Photo: Hien Mai*

In just over a day, more than 50 people, including military, civilians and villagers, rolled up their sleeves to participate. The work was divided smoothly: mothers and sisters prepared sticky rice, beans, and washed leaves; young men wrapped cakes; strong men took charge of slaughtering pigs and slicing meat; children also contributed to washing firewood and packing things.

From those rough but loving hands, 3,200 banh tet and banh chung were completed. Along with that were 700 jars of braised pork with shrimp paste, 5,600 eggs, 2,000 kg of sweet potatoes, 446 boxes of instant noodles and many kinds of vegetables, clothes, notebooks, milk and drinks.

*3,200 banh tet and banh chung were completed. Photo: Hien Mai*

The total value of the artifacts and more than 100 million VND in contributions from the people and philanthropists reached more than 477 million VND, not a large number for central places, but for a suburban commune like Gao, it is a great heart.

Two trucks filled with love have rolled out, heading to Quy Nhon Dong ward (Gia Lai province) and Binh Kien ward ( Dak Lak province), the places that suffered the most damage in the flood.

Deep sense of compatriotism

Not only in Gao commune, the spirit of sharing is spreading throughout Gia Lai. In Hoi Phu ward, this morning (November 23), the yard of the ward's Cultural House was filled with laughter from very early. 50 officers and members of the ward's Women's Union coordinated with officers and soldiers of Battalion 1 (Regiment 20, Mobile Police Command) and officers and soldiers of Detention Camp No. 1 (Gia Lai Provincial Police) to wrap 1,000 banh tet to support the flood victims.

*50 officers and members of the Women's Union of Hoi Phu Ward coordinated with officers and soldiers to wrap 1,000 banh tet to support flood victims. Photo: Hien Mai*

Regardless of whether they were soldiers or civilians, everyone worked hard. The young, clumsy soldier who tied the bamboo strips was carefully instructed by the women; the soldiers in temporary detention were in charge of cooking cakes, lighting the stove, and fetching firewood; generous donors came continuously, bringing sticky rice, green beans, meat, and dong leaves.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Luot shared: "As soon as we heard the ward's call, we all volunteered to wrap the cakes without being told, no one hesitated. Seeing the water sweeping away the houses of the people in the flood area, we just thought we had to do something immediately. Hopefully these gifts will help people overcome these difficult days."

Gia Lai people burn fire all night, send packages of love to flood-prone areas - 5

The activity not only helps people in flooded areas but also clearly demonstrates the spirit of solidarity and community responsibility between the armed forces, the government and the people. Photo: Hien Mai

The entire cost of 1,000 banh tet was contributed by benefactors. It is expected that on the morning of November 24, the convoy will deliver these cakes of love to people who are isolated and lacking food in some areas of the two provinces of Gia Lai and Dak Lak.

The activity not only helps people in flood areas have more timely food sources, but also clearly demonstrates the spirit of solidarity and community responsibility between the armed forces, the government and the people. In times of difficulty, human love is even more illuminated, like a source of strength to help people in flood areas firmly overcome the calamity.

On the morning of November 22, the Youth Union and Women's Union of Gia Trung Prison (Department C10, Ministry of Public Security ) mobilized officers, soldiers and benefactors to contribute essential necessities to share the difficulties of people affected by floods. During one mobilization session, the unit collected many necessities such as instant noodles, mineral water, milk, clothes, blankets... with a total value of more than 170 million VND.
These gifts were transported by the Youth Union of the unit to the wards: Quy Nhon Bac, Quy Nhon Tay (Gia Lai), Dong Xuan commune (Dak Lak province) to coordinate with local authorities to directly give to the people.
Officers and soldiers of Gia Trung Prison donated essential necessities to people.