Joining hands of charity

*The support Ms. Mai sent back to her hometown was received by volunteers ready to go. Photo: Provided by Ms. Ngo Thi Nhu Mai.*

Compassion in times of hardship

From far away Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Ngo Thi Nhu Mai (38 years old), a native of Nui Thanh commune, currently the Head of the Red Wish Club, could not help but feel heartbroken when following the news about the landslide and flood situation in Da Nang. Ms. Mai quietly stood up to connect with donors, took out her own funds to quickly prepare 150kg of dried anchovies and dried shrimp to send to Tra Linh commune, which is being isolated by serious landslides.

Ms. Mai also mobilized donations and sent 467 life jackets to low-lying areas in her hometown. She proactively connected with Mr. Ho Ngoc Thanh, a dedicated son of Da Nang who has been involved in volunteer work for many years and is always "present in the most difficult places" to provide timely support to the people. Ms. Mai entrusted 467 life jackets to Mr. Thanh and the members of the volunteer team. In the pouring rain and wind, the image of Mr. Thanh and his teammates wading through the water, handing out life jackets to the elderly and children in the rushing water moved many people.

“Each gift, though small, contains the love of those far from home who always yearn for their motherland. I just hope that people will stay safe and rebuild together after the flood,” Mai shared. After the life jackets were handed out to people in low-lying areas, she realized that people and shock troops in highland communes were still on duty day and night, ready to respond when floods and landslides could strike at any time, so she continued to “tie the knot” with raincoats and headlamps for people and forces.

Accompanying Ms. Ngo Thi Nhu Mai on the journey of spreading love is Mr. Huynh Van Luy, who is in charge of all the transportation of goods completely free of charge. “Seeing everyone wholeheartedly helping their fellow countrymen, I simply thought of helping as much as I could. As long as the car can run and I still have the strength, I am ready to transport goods to the gathering points, without calculating anything,” said Mr. Luy.

*Volunteer teams and groups hope that gifts will reach people in time. Photo: Provided by Ms. Ngo Thi Nhu Mai.*

Da Nang people join hands in charity

Prolonged heavy rains caused the river water to rise rapidly, causing many households in the old Dai Hung area (now Thuong Duc commune) to be deeply flooded, making travel difficult. Amidst the muddy water, meaningful gifts were promptly delivered to the people, thanks to the generosity of Ms. Ngo Cam Tu and the volunteers in Thuong Duc commune.

*60 gifts were sent by Ms. Tu and members to households living along the river and in low-lying areas. Photo: Thanh Quyt*

The group sent 60 gifts including rice, instant noodles, flashlights, soy sauce, cooking oil, fish sauce, etc. to households along the river, low-lying areas, especially giving priority to lonely elderly people and disadvantaged households in Bau Truc Ha hamlet, Thai Chan Son hamlet, Cong Bi Thanh Dai hamlet, etc. Not only in mountainous or remote areas, but also in the low-lying areas of Dien Ban Dong ward, the spirit of "helping each other" is spreading strongly. During the days of rising floodwaters, the Dien Ban Volunteers Association quickly arrived at the "flood center" of Ngan Ha block to directly give support gifts to deeply flooded households, especially lonely elderly people and disadvantaged households.

In the middle of the vast water, the members of the association wore raincoats and waded through the water to each house to give rice, instant noodles, milk and necessities to the people. “We just hope that everyone is safe and no one is left behind, each person gives a little but everyone feels warm”, said Ms. Tran Thi Lam, a member of the Dien Ban Volunteers Association.

*Despite the heavy rain, members went to the houses to give gifts to the people. Photo: THANH QUYT*

During these difficult days, when many households are still having to move to safe places or temporarily take shelter at flood-avoidance points, carefully prepared free meals, ensuring adequate nutrition and safety, are sent to people in deeply flooded areas such as An Hoi, Cam Kim, Duy Nghia, Dong Binh... "It's not just hot meals, but also the sharing from the people of Hoi An to the people who are struggling in the rain and floods. Hopefully, the restaurant's cooperation will give more strength to the people in the flooded areas, so that after the days of receding water, they can build their lives together," said Mr. Huynh Dac Thanh, owner of Sua Cafe (Hoi An ward).

Amidst the rainy and flood days, the love of compatriots was strongly aroused from the hearts of Da Nang people to see that no matter where they are, their homeland is still the strongest bond, bringing loving arms connecting from the lowlands to the highlands, warming human love.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/noi-vong-tay-nhan-ai-3308487.html