(VOVWORLD) - With a spirit of mutual support and compassion, Mr. Nguyen Hai Thien of the Red Cross Association in Binh Trung 2 hamlet, Binh Thanh Dong commune, Phu Tan district, An Giang province, has led the movement to assist the poor, helping them overcome challenges to improve their living conditions. His dedication has made him a role model in the “Good People, Good Deeds – Joining Hands to Build a Compassionate Community” initiative in the locality.
 Members of the Rice Bowl of Love group distribute rice to support the poor in Binh Trung 2 hamlet, An Giang province. (Photo: phutan.angiang.gov.vn) |
Participating in the Red Cross Society from a young age, Thien founded the “Rice Bowl of Love” group in 2009. Starting with just five elderly members. Over the past 15 years, the group has helped thousands of disadvantaged people overcome difficulties.
Every month, on the 15th, the group mobilizes donations, summarizes and publicizes the collected funds, and distributes rice for poor households in the hamlet. According to Mr. Thien, the group operates on the principle of sincere giving, accepting whatever donors contribute. Most donations are in cash, with individuals typically giving around 30,000 VND per month. The group uses these contributions to purchase rice for the poor.
On average, the group collects about 5 million VND monthly to buy rice and provide regular financial assistance to 23–25 households. Each household receives 10 kilograms of rice and 50,000 VND in cash. As the group leader, Thien often contributes his own money to ensure the fund can meet its goals. The success of the group in Binh Trung 2 hamlet has been replicated in six other hamlets in Binh Thanh Dong commune.
In addition to his work with the “Rice Bowl of Love” group, Hai Thien also engages in other community initiatives. He serves on the Executive Board of the commune’s free ambulance service and participates in the Road Patching Team, which repairs damaged rural roads. In 2024, Mr. Thien and his team repaired over 24 kilometers of roads at a cost of more than 230 million VND. He has also contributed to various social welfare projects, volunteer activities, and charitable efforts in the area.
Mr. Luong Khanh Van, Chairman of the Red Cross Society of Binh Thanh Dong commune, praised Mr. Hai Thien for his active, enthusiastic, and selfless contributions to humanitarian work. He highlighted Mr. Thien’s role in promoting the “Good People, Good Deeds” movement, which continues to inspire the local community.
Mr. Nguyen Hai Thien’s actions embody the Vietnamese tradition of “the haves help the have nots.” His compassion and dedication have had a profound impact, earning him the trust and admiration of other people in the community. Thien says his greatest reward is witnessing people in need overcome hardships, stabilize their lives, and build prosperous and happy families.