Initiated in 2023, "Meals of Love" not only provides free meals but also spreads a spirit of compassion, becoming a place that connects benevolent hearts. Each meal is not simply a food item, but also contains sharing and encouragement for patients who are fighting illness every day.

More than just a charity program, "Meals of Love" has become a source of spiritual support, a bridge connecting love between the community and those less fortunate. For the past two years, the program has become a familiar meeting place every Saturday (at alley 9A Pham Van Bach, Cau Giay district, Hanoi ), bringing warmth and human kindness, giving strength to patients on their journey to reclaim their lives while receiving treatment at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.

Heartwarming stories

Throughout her months in the hospital, Ms. Kieu Thi Thu Phuong (55 years old, Thach That, Hanoi) had to endure excruciating pain, prolonged blood transfusions, and persistent herbal compresses. But when she came to the "Meal of Love" program, all that fatigue seemed to disappear.

Free from constant anxieties and lingering pain, Ms. Phuong seemed to relax, blending into the lively and warm atmosphere of the gathering: "Here, I can forget about my illness, forget about the tiring days. Even though I'm undergoing treatment, I still want to come, not only for the heartwarming meal, but also for these truly precious moments."

Ms. Phuong has suffered from thalassemia since 2013. A year later, her husband left the family. Since then, Ms. Phuong and her young daughter have relied on each other to survive. When her daughter was only 4 years old, the two of them left their hometown and moved to Hanoi, facing a long period of hardship.

Each month, she has to be hospitalized twice for blood transfusions, each lasting nearly half a month. The cost of each treatment is approximately 4-6 million VND, not including food and living expenses. Although insurance covers the hospital fees, the meals in the hospital remain a significant burden for a woman who is no longer able to work. “Thanks to the ‘Meals of Love’ program, patients like us have one less worry during our arduous treatment. Each meal we receive helps us save a considerable amount of money, allowing us to focus more on our treatment,” she confided.

Currently, Ms. Phuong and her daughter are living in a small house on the outskirts of Hanoi – a place she jokingly calls "Hanoi, but it's still very far away." That house is the only place the two of them can return to after long, exhausting days at the hospital. When she's hospitalized, her young daughter is home alone, with only her grandmother – who is over 70 years old – occasionally coming to look after her. "The little girl goes to school all day, and at lunchtime, her grandmother comes over to cook rice. Sometimes, her grandmother is too tired to cook, so the child just makes instant noodles to eat. At that time, I was still undergoing treatment with persistent, seemingly endless pain, unable to fully care for my daughter," Ms. Phuong said, her voice choked with emotion.

Life is tough, but Ms. Phuong has never felt alone. For her, the meals from the "Meals of Love" program are not just a meal, but a great source of encouragement. "Every time I receive a meal, I feel a sense of sharing, and I'm given strength to fight my illness. These acts of help are invaluable because they help me stay strong on this journey," she said emotionally.

Ms. Hoai and her daughter were deeply moved when they received a heartwarming meal from the "Meal of Love" program.

Sharing a similar plight with Ms. Phuong, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai (40 years old, Thanh Hoa ) also couldn't hide her emotion when receiving a meal from the "Meal of Love" program. She suffers from congenital hemolytic anemia, which leaves her constantly fatigued, with swollen and painful limbs, requiring frequent blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. Sometimes, the excruciating pain prevents her from performing normal daily activities, requiring assistance from family members.

Hoai's family once enjoyed a comfortable life, but a terrible disease robbed her of her health and the job she loved. As a former kindergarten teacher, she had been surrounded by the laughter of children for many years. However, her condition worsened, and the excessive number of days she had to miss work made it impossible for her to continue in the profession. Last August, she was forced to retire completely, accepting the loss of her classroom and her unfulfilled dreams.

With no income, she and her children rely on the support of relatives. Her husband is a factory worker with an unstable income, barely enough to support himself and their children back home. Therefore, the monthly medical expenses, from medicine and food to transportation, have become a heavy burden on this woman who has already suffered so much. She confided, "When I learned about the 'Meals of Love' program, I felt much lighter. These warm meals help me and other patients ease our worries and give us more strength to continue treatment."

She recounted that her life had been difficult, and poverty had caused her children to grow up faster than their age. Because of their meager income, she and her husband had to split the responsibility of raising their children; their eldest son lived with his father in their hometown, while the two younger children lived with Ms. Hoai. Understanding their mother's illness and the family's difficult circumstances, the two younger children learned to be independent early on. The older child helped her get meals every day, while the youngest, despite being only 8 years old, awkwardly learned to do housework, trying to share the burden with her mother. During the days she was hospitalized, the two children took care of each other at home, occasionally receiving help from their grandparents and aunt. But no hand could ever be as warm as a mother's, and no love could replace the meals she cooked herself.

Holding the steaming hot meal in her hands, Ms. Hoai's eyes welled up with tears: "I feel so happy and grateful. This is not just a meal, but also a sharing, a gesture of kindness from strangers who are warm and compassionate. Receiving these meals makes us feel less alone, gives us more motivation to fight our illnesses, and to continue living for our loved ones."

Patients and their families receive free meals directly at the "Meals of Love" event.

Spreading kindness

Understanding the difficulties faced by patients, Dr. Truong Cao Luan, Director of Saigon HN Dental Clinic and co-founder of the "Meal of Love" charity project, shared: "We not only want to provide warm meals, but also hope to spread the spirit of solidarity, love, and sharing. 'Meal of Love' is not simply a charity program, but a second home where those in difficult circumstances can find encouragement, comfort, and faith in tomorrow."

Every weekend, Ms. Lam Thi Tho (52 years old, Ninh Binh ), one of the longest-serving volunteers of the program, is always present at the "Meal of Love" from 4 am to prepare food. She shared: "I come here with the mindset of supporting everyone and helping the sick. On Friday afternoon, the team of collaborators goes to the market and prepares the ingredients meticulously; in addition, there are contributions from benefactors, those who have resources contribute resources, those who have strength contribute strength. Especially, there is never a shortage of food for the patients here; everything is prepared in the most thoughtful way!"  

Love and affection are conveyed through small gifts at the "Meal of Love".

Throughout its journey, "Meals of Love" has received support from philanthropists, charitable organizations, artists, and influential figures. Meritorious Artist Phan Thu Lan, one of those who have accompanied the program, shared: “When I came to 'Meals of Love,' I truly felt the warmth radiating from the people here. The meals were not only meticulously prepared but also contained so much dedication and love. Witnessing the patients receiving the meals with tears in their eyes, I understood that this was not just a meal to fill their stomachs, but also a great encouragement, giving them more faith to move forward towards a brighter future. Thank you to the program for spreading positive values ​​to the community.”

As compassion continues to grow, and as benevolent hearts silently share their support, even though the road ahead is fraught with challenges, patients are not alone. "Meals of Love" not only provide warm meals but also become a flame that warms the spirit and ignites hope for those battling illness. Each meal is not just material assistance, but also a warm embrace from the community, a source of encouragement to give them more faith in tomorrow.

After nearly two years of operation, "Meals of Love" has become a familiar address for many people in difficult circumstances in Hanoi. Each meal distributed is not only an act of kindness, but also a word of encouragement and hope for those in need, helping them to believe in a brighter tomorrow. Thousands of meals have been distributed, countless hearts have been warmed, and the smiles of patients and their families are the guiding principle and purpose that "Meals of Love" always strives for.

Text and photos: MAI ANH

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-16/tinh-nguoi-tu-bua-com-yeu-thuong-831668