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Lac Hong University's Charity Kitchen providing cheap meals to its students
Climbing prices have been recently burdening a lot of people. Many families have to to tighten their belt in price storm to be able to stabilize their lives. However, an address to relieve families’ burdens is the canteen or the charity kitchen of Lac Hong University. Brought into operation in academic year of 2010 - 2011, the kitchen has received high appreciation and support from society. With regard to this, we have an interview with Dr. Tran Hanh – Rector of the university who firstly launched the Charity Kitchen.
Q: Good morning Dr. Tran Hanh, first, could you please tell me where did the idea of Charity Kitchen come from?
A: As we all know, Vietnamese students in general and Lac Hong’s students in particular have very tight expenses. Some students who have difficult circumstances still try their best to study and to look for good career opportunities. That is the point we really respect. Many of our students coming from central and southern provinces have especially difficult circumstances. Going to school on an empty stomach is frequent. I myself also experienced poverty and deprivation; therefore, I understand their situations. That made me concern about the question what we can do to help our students have their full meals. As a result, the Charity Kitchen was born and contributed by the university’s managers, lectures, and other staff.
Q: So, how did you plan to popularize the Charity Kitchen as well as make it run effectively?
A: Since the idea emerged, I have reported the plan in the hand-over meeting with heads of departments, and faculties. Coming up to my expectation, all teachers agree and actively participate in the plan. Our aim is to raise a fund to make cheaper meals for our students. The fund is contributed by individuals and collectives in the university. To pioneer this activity, I voluntarily contribute 500 kilograms of rice per month (equivalent to VND 60 million per year). In addition, the university has appointed Mrs. Le Thi Hieu –Manager of Students’ Housing as the treasurer of Charity Kitchen. Moreover, the Trade Union and Youth Union – Students’ Association efficiently join hands in this work.
Q: We know that the Charity Kitchen has been well maintained for the last year. So, will the university continue this program next academic years? And how does it plan to further develop the Charity Kitchen?
A: Since the Charity Kitchen offers cheaper and healthy meals than outsides, it attracts most of the students in the university. Therefore, we determine to maintain this activity and promote it in the next years. To do this effectively, we need to mobilize the financial support from not only the university’s members but also enterprises and companies. We also call upon benefactors to contribute to the Charity Kitchen. Presently, the university has raised more than VND 100 million to subsidize meals for students. Surely enough, this year, the fund will be expanded to help students, continuing to wing their dreams.
I hope that the Charity Kitchen will be more and more effective, attracting the participation of a large number of people. Thank you very much for your time and the conversation. May you have good health and more success.
Thu Hien
