People lacking water during the drought and salinity season are familiar with Mr. Khuong's rice.

Mr. Khuong Gao led the group to get water from the barge docked at Can Giuoc district to bring to the people lacking water. Currently, this area is still quite difficult in terms of domestic water due to the lack of rainfall - Photo: NHAT TRUNG

Rain has appeared in almost all districts of Long An province, however, some communes in Can Giuoc district still lack domestic water due to insufficient rainfall.

"We only rest when people have plenty of water to use."

On May 21, Mr. Nguyen Duy Khuong and his Team RH - Long An group were still on duty at the Soai Rap river wharf in Tan Dai hamlet, Tan Tap commune, Can Giuoc to transport fresh water from barges to shore for the people.

"This morning, this barge contained 1,000 cubic meters of water. It will probably take 3 days to transport all the water. After this trip, the RH team will temporarily stop supplying water for this year's drought and salinity season," Mr. Khuong said with a laugh.

Since April 2, when he saw many people on social networks complaining about the hot weather and lack of water, Mr. Khuong started driving out of his house, inviting some friends in Team RH - Long An to rent a truck, spend money to buy soft drinks to make "drops of love" trips.

Initially, a few trucks carried dozens of cubic meters of water, Team RH - Long An began to receive more support and participation. At one point, the convoy grew to 30 trucks, all kinds of trucks, carrying up to 170 cubic meters of water. Later, many people even sponsored barges to carry water so that the group could easily help the people.

Team RH - Long An has more and more people responding and participating - Photo: NHAT TRUNG

"At first, we borrowed tanks, spent money to fill up with gas, buy fresh water and then move. Gradually, people helped out, bought more tanks, lent us cars and joined the team as drivers, gave away fresh water for free... When we heard that somewhere was lacking water, our group went immediately," said Mr. Khuong.

Help people for 48 days

During the hottest days at the end of April, we followed Team RH - Long An to the most remote areas of Can Giuoc, Can Duoc (Long An province), then to Go Cong (Tien Giang province), Binh Dai (Ben Tre province).

As the owner of a rice mill in Binh Lang commune, Tan Tru district, Long An, Mr. Khuong is known as "Rice Khuong".

Wherever he went, people greeted him happily as if they were familiar with "Khuong Gao". During the past 48 days, without any holidays or Saturdays or Sundays, the convoy of Team RH - Long An led by "Khuong Gao" always went to the areas where people were waiting for every drop of clean fresh water.

All water transfers and supplies are reported live on social networks, inspiring many volunteers from many places to participate.

At 41 years old, "Khuong Gao" shaves his head "for convenience", has a stubble beard, and spends more time with people in drought-stricken areas than at home. "All the work is given to my wife, so what can I do now? Seeing people suffering so much, I can't stand sitting at home," Khuong replied with a smile when asked why he has neglected his business and family for the past 48 days.

After two drought and salinity seasons, the group's organization and operation of fresh water delivery trips to difficult areas have become smoother - Photo: SON LAM

This is not the first time Mr. Khuong has had many long consecutive "business trips". Team RH - Long An was initiated by Mr. Khuong during the drought season of 2020, also to provide fresh water to the people. That year, Mr. Khuong's group followed the "drop of love" continuously for 65 days.

Since then, Mr. Khuong has become accustomed to volunteering and helping people. From supporting people in flooded areas in the Central region to providing food to people during the COVID-19 pandemic, every time Mr. Khuong initiated a project, many friends wholeheartedly supported and accompanied him.

"It's probably because my brothers understand what I'm doing. Many brothers have gone once or twice and are like me. Seeing people still suffering, they can't give up. Since then, we have all done charity work with the intention of giving, and we follow whoever responds. We never solicit or call for sponsorship," Khuong shared.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ba-con-thieu-nuoc-mua-han-man-nhan-mat-anh-khuong-gao-20240521153237542.htm