“Pot of love porridge” - multiplying happiness

On an autumn morning, when the early morning dew was still lingering on the tiled roof, the gate of General Hospital No. 3 (Nghia Lo Ward) was bustling with the footsteps of volunteers participating in the "Pot of Love Porridge" Program. The eyes of the patients lit up with joy when they received a full bowl of porridge, fragrant with sticky rice, lean meat, pumpkin, and green beans. It was not only a dish that soothed hunger, but also the warmth of human love - a warm gift from the "Pot of Love Porridge" Program initiated by Nhan Tam Duc Fund and a volunteer group led by Ms. Nhu Phuong Mai.

In September 2024, “Pot of Love Porridge” officially started. Originating from memories of a volunteer trip in Hanoi , Ms. Phuong Mai brought back to the province a simple but humane idea: cooking free porridge to give to poor patients. “Back then, when I joined my friends to distribute porridge at Hanoi Oncology Hospital, I was extremely moved. A bowl of porridge, though small, helped patients feel that they were not alone in their journey to fight the disease. I told myself: I also have to do something for my homeland,” Ms. Mai recalled.

In the early days, her group consisted of only a few friends, with little money contributed, and a lot of work. But with faith and perseverance, the seed of charity sprouted. Now, the group has 22 members. In particular, the Nhan Tam Duc Fund, chaired by Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam, along with many kind-hearted people, has accompanied and supported the "Pot of Love Porridge" to spread more and more.

Every Thursday morning at 5am, 22 members are present in front of the lobby of General Hospital No. 3. Some carry pots, some set tables, some prepare bags... everyone is busy but their faces are radiant. At 6am, more than 400 portions of porridge are delivered to patients and their families. Ms. Mai, although quite tired from staying up late and waking up early to cook porridge, is still enthusiastic, quickly scooping porridge and gently encouraging: "We cooked porridge with lean meat, pumpkin, and green beans, please enjoy your meal!" In her eyes, it is not only responsibility but also sharing from the heart.

Ms. Mai said: To have a delicious pot of porridge, I usually choose the food from the night before, simmer the bones, soak the rice, and prepare all the ingredients. I start cooking at 3am, when the porridge is well-cooked and fragrant, we bring it to the hospital together. It is hard but fun, because I know the patients will receive a little more warmth.

Ms. Phuong - a member of the group emotionally shared: We feel so lucky to be healthy. Therefore, we only hope that through each bowl of porridge we can send positive energy to the patients. It is a spiritual medicine to help them feel confident in treatment. A bowl of porridge is simple, not much in material value, but full of love, making many patients cry. Ms. Ly Thi Sin, a Dao ethnic, who has been treated at the hospital for nearly 2 months, choked up: While I was sick, eating a bowl of hot porridge made me feel more relieved. Thank you so much to the benefactors. I hope the program can cook more to help patients like us.

Not only Ms. Nhu Phuong Mai's group, "Pot of love porridge" has now become a widespread movement, supported by many agencies, organizations, residential groups and even schools. In particular, Nguyen Quang Bich Secondary School, Nghia Lo Ward, has also organized teachers and students to cook porridge to distribute to patients at General Hospital No. 3.

Teacher Dao Hoang Long and his students prepared the ingredients and shared: “Seeing the humanitarian meaning of the program, the school organized for students to participate in cooking and distributing porridge. The students were very excited and happy because for the first time they were able to do good work and share with patients. Through that, they learned a valuable lesson: knowing how to appreciate health and love people.”

The image of the students’ small, clumsy hands carefully holding each bowl of porridge, carefully scooping enough and handing it to the sick person, moved everyone who witnessed it. Their eyes lit up with happiness because they were doing charity work. It was not only the hot bowls of porridge that conveyed love, but also a testament to the miraculous spreading power of kindness.

Lan, a 7th grader, confidently shared: “At first, I was a bit worried because I didn’t know how to do it, but when I cooked porridge with my teachers and friends and brought it to the patients, I felt very happy. I hope that in the future, I will have the opportunity to participate in this meaningful activity many more times.”

Over the past year, thousands of hot bowls of porridge have been given away. 22 members of the volunteer group have tirelessly devoted their time and effort with the sole hope that the program will continue to be supported by many organizations and individuals, so that the pot of porridge will never get cold, so that the bowl of loving porridge will always be present in the poor patients in need.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/noi-chao-yeu-thuong-nhan-len-niem-hanh-phuc-post882792.html