My involvement in this project was a coincidence. I still vividly remember the day I visited a hospital in Hanoi to see my close friend who was unwell. While I was there, I saw many patients and their families struggling not only with health challenges but also with the financial burden of basic needs, including food. There was one particular moment that stayed with me forever: a tired-looking mother was queuing up to receive free porridge. Older ladies and students were working together to distribute bowls of red bean and pumpkin porridge to patients, carefully reminding everyone to hold the bowls gently because the porridge was hot. In that moment, I felt a warmth radiating from them, and I realized that the world could still be so kind.

That image touched my heart deeply and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I took the initiative to help distribute tissues with everyone, and then I naturally joined ‘A Handful’. For a long time, I followed the older volunteers and the students to deliver love to major hospitals in Hanoi every Monday and Sunday.

Seeing the relief on patients’ faces when they received a warm meal gave me a strong motivation to continue with this project. Each bowl of porridge, each serving of rice, is not just about providing food; it’s about easing the worries of those who are facing so much. Through this initiative, we hope to bring a little comfort and show these families that they are not alone in their struggle. It’s a small gesture, but I believe it can make a big difference in their lives.