The kindness of Ms. Dinh Phuong Thao and the Thien An volunteer group

In this busy life, there are still people who quietly devote themselves to helping others. Ms. Dinh Phuong Thao, Head of Thien An Volunteer Group is such a person.

Thien An volunteer group distributes free food at Hai Duong Rehabilitation Hospital.

Live to give

Ms. Dinh Phuong Thao was born in 1987 and is currently an accountant at Hai Duong Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital ( Hai Phong City). In 2021, seeing that patients at Hai Duong Mental Hospital and Hai Duong Rehabilitation Hospital rarely received charity items, Ms. Dinh Phuong Thao established Thien An Charity Group to operate in this area. Initially, there were only a few members and a small amount of money, but with perseverance and trust, the group gradually received the support of many kind-hearted people.

From the funds contributed by the group members as well as donations from kind individuals, the group cooks and distributes free food to patients 3-4 times a month. Not only hot porridge, the group also changes the menu every week: sometimes rice rolls, sometimes sticky rice, sometimes vermicelli or pho. The meals always come with desserts such as milk tea and soy milk to ensure patients have enough nutrition.

Ms. Vu Thi Thu Hien, a member who has been with us since the early days, shared: "Every time we deliver food to patients, they tell me to cook more and more, I feel very happy and motivated to cook better." To have those meals, the members have to wake up very early: some go to the market, some light the stove, some chop vegetables... The more than 15 members of the group all consider coming to the charity kitchen a joy.

“Doing charity is doing it with all our heart, so we do not expect anything in return other than the joy of those who receive help,” said Dinh Phuong Thao, founder of Thien An Charity Group, simply but sincerely.

Diverse volunteer meals help patients have more motivation for treatment and to improve in life.

After more than four years, Thien An group has given more than 3,000 free meals to patients. Many patients have been attached to the hospital all their lives, and now consider Ms. Thao and the members as relatives. Every time they meet, they are happy, happiness shining in their eyes. Ms. Nguyen Thi L., a long-term patient at Hai Duong Mental Hospital, emotionally shared: “I often have headaches and nerve pain, so I have to receive long-term treatment here. Every time the uncles and aunts of Thien An group come, we are very happy. Not only is the food delicious, but it is also the affection and joy. Being in the hospital for a long time, sometimes I feel mentally exhausted, but receiving a bowl of porridge and hearing a few stories, I suddenly feel relieved and have more faith in the treatment.”

It is this closeness and familiarity that creates an invisible bond between the giver and the receiver. For Ms. Thao, that is a simple but priceless happiness.

Transparent and sincere

From the very first day of establishment, Ms. Thao determined the principle of the group that all contributions and food purchase costs are transparent. The group does not focus on how much money anyone contributes, but considers it fate, the heart to do it together. Thanks to this way of doing things, Thien An always maintains comfort and trust in the group. Ms. Thao shared: “I always tell everyone to do charity with all their heart. When you give, don't think about receiving anything in return. Instead, think that somewhere there is a patient who is happier and has more motivation to treat the disease. That is the greatest reward.”

In addition to accompanying her volunteer group, Ms. Dinh Phuong Thao herself also participates in many other social activities, especially voluntary blood donation.

Her sincerity has not only made friends and relatives, but also many individuals and organizations from outside come to join in. Thao's parents also wholeheartedly support her, regularly contribute their efforts, and consider volunteering as a part of family life.

The charity activities of Thien An Volunteer Group are quiet but have contributed to spreading the spirit of kindness in the community. For many young people, this is also an opportunity to learn how to share, practice patience and love. Ms. Vu Thi Thu Hien added: “Since joining the group, I have seen myself change a lot. I am no longer irritable or hasty like before, but instead I am gentle, know how to listen and sympathize. It is the patients who have given me valuable life lessons.”

On the occasion of Mid-Autumn Festival this year, the group organized to give 600 gifts to patients at 2 hospitals: Hai Duong Mental Hospital and Hai Duong Rehabilitation Hospital, each meal includes grilled pork noodles, fruit, moon cakes and milk.

Hot porridge, fragrant sticky rice bowls or sweet glasses of milk… have lit up the faith and love in life for the sick. In that journey, Ms. Dinh Phuong Thao and the Thien An group do not wish for anything other than to share, so that each patient has more strength to overcome the disease. From a simple thought, Ms. Dinh Phuong Thao has spread the flame of kindness so that the volunteer journey continues to be persistent and meaningful, sowing seeds of love in people's hearts.

MINH NGUYEN

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/tam-long-nhan-ai-cua-chi-dinh-phuong-thao-va-nhom-thien-nguyen-thien-an-523119.html