“Warmth” members prepare gifts for the homeless in Hanoi. (Photo: VOV)

On the 5th day of the first lunar month, Vu Trung Anh, head of a charity group called “Warmth”, which helps the homeless, and two members delivered food to these unfortunate people.

The COVID-19 epidemic has hampered their delivery efforts, so Trung Anh has given his phone number to all the homeless.

“Even during Tet we still deliver food to the homeless. Because of the epidemic, we only distribute dry food, which can be kept longer, up to half a month, plus instant food and salted shredded meat. If they need medicine, we can help them. We come once a week,” said Trung Anh.

He says that though the help is modest, it shows the sympathy donors and volunteers feel for the needy, who live in railway stations, bus stations, and markets.

One of the recipient is moved to say, “Their help makes me feel less lonely and vulnerable. I think I can live longer and hope they can give us some medicine. I feel less self-pity.”

A member of the charity group “Autumn porridge and friends” presents gifts for a disadvantaged household. (Photo: VOV)

Members of the “Chao Mua thu va Nhung nguoi ban” group (Autumn porridge and friends) used to deliver 3,000 portions of porridge to 11 hospitals in Hanoi three times a week.

Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, the group is still delivering essential goods to people with disabilities and patients in particular difficulties, raising funds, and calling on sponsors during the first days of the Lunar New Year.

Thanh Thu Luong, the group’s leader, says all the members hope the epidemic will soon be over so they can step up their charity work. Giving makes them happier, Luong said.

He told VOV the group’s plan to build a number of small schools in Son La and Quang Binh province and complete an unfinished flood resistant housing project next month.

“Our biggest wish is to sustain all activities begun in previous years and secure more resources to help the needy,” said Luong.

Hoang Anh Suong, who leads a charity group, says his team plans to organize a gala night to raise funds to build a school in Thai Nguyen province.

Suong told VOV that he and the other team members want to build bridges and schools in mountain areas because education will make the children’s future brighter and their lives less difficult.

“The most precious thing in life is love. Everyone wants to receive love. If you want to receive it, you should give it to others. The more love you give, the more love you will receive, especially love given in charity programs. What I mean to say is that doing charity means getting something back,” said Suong.