What makes those who directly operate the charity kitchen serving poor patients treated at Da Nang Psychiatric Hospital under the Da Nang Association of Charities and Children's Rights Protection proud is that the kitchen has been on fire every day, even Saturday and Sunday for the past 7 years of operation to prepares meals for patients.

Mr Vo Van Duc went to Hoa Khanh market to receive vegetables supported by Ms Phan Thi Thanh. Photo: T.Y

Meals filled with human love

According to Mr Duc, Vice Chairman of the Lien Chieu district-based Association of Charities and Children's Rights Protection, who is in charge of managing, supervising and hiring cooks for the charity kitchen, it is not easy to maintain the kitchen for 42 patients without the cooperation and contribution of sponsors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the days when there is no food available, the kitchen has to call to ask the stallholders in markets for meat, fish, and some vegetables. Then he will ride his motorbike to the markets to get ingredients. There were many days when it was raining and windy, Mr. Duc alone drove to Hoa Khanh market or Nam O market to receive meat, fish, vegetables and tubers, making many women trading in the markets worried.

However, he does not mind the matter of having to work as a driver for a few rides a day. He just worries that one day he won't have the strength to work in the kitchen. Whoever gave something, he also appreciated it, so even if there is a call late at night or in the middle of a meal, he will go to get it.

Ms Nguyen Thi Muoi, who has sold food in the Nam O market has nearly 7 years of working with the Psychiatric Hospital's charity kitchen as a contributor. On a monthly basis, she goes around the market to raise funds from some stallholders to buy food for the kitchen.

“Every month, we actively contribute money to buy food and Mr Duc will bring it to the kitchen to cook for patients. Contributing money to buy ingredients right at the market helps us control the quality of food hygiene and safety as well as easily diversify dishes for patients,” shared Ms Muoi.

Accompanying the charity kitchen to serve patients of Da Nang Psychiatric Hospital, Ha Sinh Kim Anh Co., Ltd. each month supports more than 100kg of meat and eggs of all kinds. The generosity of the owners Dinh Viet Truc and Ha Thi Sinh has warmed the hearts of those who directly operate the charity kitchen.

“We often joke that if there is a shortage of meat, we will run to Ms Sinh, and if there is a shortage of rice, we will run to Ms Hong, owner of Hong rice dealer at 72 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, because whenever the kitchen needed, they are always willing to help,” said Mr Duc happily.

“Happiness is giving”

For nearly 7 years, contributors have been helping the charity kitchen at Da Nang Psychiatric Hospital be continuously on fire. In a room of more than 30m2 located in front of the hospital gate, just enough for a reception desk, freezer, and area for preliminary processing, cooking, and storing dry food, the words "Happiness is giving" are easily seen. Nearby, on a wallboard, the Association recorded a list of original sponsors. In addition, the kitchen also has a board to honour individuals, clubs, associations, and groups that register for monthly sponsorship.

After many years of working at the hospital, instead of choosing leisure when she retired, Ms Le Thi Lam volunteered to work in the charity kitchen to have the opportunity to continue taking care of patients. Mrs Lam said that, in addition to regular medication, the "panacea" of mental illness is caring, listening and sharing.

The warm, nutritious meals have contributed to the journey of awakening the mind, pulling the patient back to the present life. During her time helping in the kitchen, she is happy to be friends with kind people who live for the community and she is also happy to witness the sobriety of those who have fallen into the "mad realm".

Perhaps no one can count the effort and money they spend, but only know that in the cycle of gain and loss in life, many hearts have encountered in the small kitchen. Ms Phan Thi Thanh, selling vegetables and tubers at Hoa Khanh market, joked that "when I want to give, I give, but I don't know how much I give and how". Whenever she wants to give food, she will pick up the phone and call Mr Duc to the market to take food.

Similarly, on the other side of Hoa Khanh market, Mrs Nguyen Thi Thu, 50 years old, regularly donates eggplants, kohlrabi, cabbage, carrots and potatoes to the charity kitchen.

As shared by Mrs Le Thi Tam, Chairwoman of the Da Nang Association of Charities and Children's Rights Protection in 2022, the charity kitchen served over 29,000 meals from funds mobilized by the Association with the cooperation and contribution of the social community. In addition to the mobilization of associations at all levels, the "charity pots of porridge" in the area also actively participate in supporting patients.

With these dedications of giving and receiving, it is believed that their love journey will last forever. Also, somewhere in this charity kitchen, on a daily basis, dedicated people will tell themselves need to try a little harder so that dozens of poor patients treated at Da Nang Psychiatric Hospital no longer worry about meals to rest assured for treatment and recovery.

Reporting by TIEU YEN- Translating by T.VY