Socio-political organizations across Da Nang are joining efforts to offer free breakfast to poor labourers in a bid to give them nutritious meals to lend a helping hand to them and share difficulties with them.

A poor labourer receiving free breakfast from the ‘Zero dong Breakfast’ programme which has been launched over the past 3 years by the Veterans Association and the Youth Union organization of Hai Chau District’s Thach Thang Ward . Photo: VAN XANH

Located in Hoa An Ward, Cam Le District, the Phuoc Ly residential area with 5 apartment buildings now accommodate a combined total of 2,200 people from 602 households. Residents of these apartment buildings are mainly internal migrants who came from nationwide localities, many of whom are from displaced families. The majority of them are living under difficult circumstances, and have to work hard to make ends meet.

In their efforts to help these poor people have healthy breakfasts and build social cohesion in their communities, the Party Cell and the Women's Union chapter of the Phuoc Ly residential area have together launched the “Breakfast of Compassion” programme since September 2022.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Thu, the Head of the Women's Union chapter of the Phuoc Ly residential area, the programme takes places on the 1^st and 15^th dates of each lunar month, with the objective of providing 270 free meals for residents in this residential area and poor labourers in the surrounding area. Besides, the charity breakfast encompasses a flexible and regularly changing menu. Apart from food, the charity breakfast also includes coffee and bottled drinking water.

Till date, the “Breakfast of Compassion” programme has received voluntary contributions from a diverse set of donors, including individuals and organizations across the city. Up to now, the programme has been conducted 17 times in the Phuoc Ly residential area, with a total amount of VND 51.8 million, and it will continue in the coming time in efforts to give sharing and caring hands to those in need.

According to Mr Nguyen Tan Thuc, the Deputy Secretary of the Party Cell of Hoa An Ward, around 30 good models of mass mobilization have been developed in the ward, of which, the ‘Breakfast of Compassion’ programme is being effectively implemented in the Phuoc Ly residential area. This programme has already been recommended for commendation and reward by the Hoa An Ward Authority .

In a similar move, the ‘Zero dong Breakfast’ programme which has been launched over the past 3 years by the Veterans Association and the Youth Union organization of Hai Chau District’s Thach Thang Ward takes places on the last Friday morning of every month in front of Thach Thang Ward Authority headquarters. It aims to give free breakfast to motorbike taxi drivers and poor labourers in order to help them save money. Each meal includes a dumpling and a box of milk.

Mr. Vuong Van Muoi, the Chairman of the Veterans Association of Thach Thang Ward said that over recent years, local mass organizations have paid special attention to regularly carrying out charitable activities for the sake of social inclusion and cohesion. Initiated in March 2020 by the Veterans Association and the Youth Union organization of Thach Thang Ward, the ‘Zero dong Breakfast’ programme has proved effective in helping low-income workers, poor labourers, and family caregivers of patients to have healthy breakfast. This programme is implemented in the ward once or twice a month with the objective of provision of 100 to 150 free breakfasts, including dumplings and milk boxes to the needy, at a total amount of VND 1.8 to 2.5 million. The programme is funded by donations from members of the Veterans Association and the Youth Union organization of Thach Thang Ward, along with local young people and others.

Female veteran Nguyen Thi Hue is an example of typical members who are active in contributing to funds for this programme, contributing to ensuring its effective implementation. Mrs Hue often uses money from selling her collected cans, plastic bottles and scraps to contribute to the fund. Since the beginning of the year, she has donated nearly VND 2.7 million to the programme.

Meanwhile, the Youth Union organization of the ward is active in calling for financial support from sponsors, youth union members and young people to buy milk in an attempt to give healthy meals to the poor.

This programme will continue in the ward in the coming time, thereby contributing to ensuring social protection for disadvantaged people.

Reporting by NGOC QUOC – Translating by H.L