It should be given to the right person in the right place.
In the province, many meaningful charitable models aimed at sharing with the poor and contributing to social welfare have been embraced by the community. Over time, many models have continued to be maintained and expanded; however, some have become outdated. For example, the "Zero-Cost Store" was established by many organizations, offering everything from traditional dresses and various types of clothing to necessities, vegetables, and household items, based on the principle of "give what you have, give what you have in excess, receive what you need." These stores sprung up in many localities, with some areas having dozens of "Zero-Cost Stores," especially in remote and rural communes. However, some stores have now ceased operations, lack proper supervision, and have resulted in situations where donors and recipients are not the intended beneficiaries.
Ms. Thanh Hue (Long Xuyen City) sent a bag of clothes and shoes to a "Zero-Cost Shop" in Tri Ton town. Upon arrival, the shop was empty. A nearby beverage shop offered to take them to distribute to those in need in the villages, as they knew exactly who was truly struggling and who was in need. In contrast, at the previous "Zero-Cost Shop," donations were voluntary, and over time, people who didn't really need the items still came to take them, while those who did need them ran out before their turn. "Since it was just used clothes being given away, we happily donated them. However, I can't help but worry about similar businesses. I've witnessed charity stalls and shops that supposedly help the poor, but in reality, people who are well-off still come to take things as usual," Ms. Hue shared.
Ms. TTN, representing a retired charity group operating in Long Xuyen City, sighed when mentioning the campaigns to collect clothes to support the poor and those facing sudden hardship. The age-old story is that some people seem to be just using the space to drop off items rather than actually donating them. Besides unsuitable clothing, there are also tattered old clothes, underwear, and moldy, damaged shoes… During holidays, Tet (Lunar New Year), or even monthly on the 15th day of the lunar month, stalls offering "free" meals, "2,000 VND" meals, "free" ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), "free" clothes, and "free" vegetables are always packed with customers. This model is essential to alleviate some of the burden of making a living for those still struggling. Hopefully, in every small act of kindness, donors will put their hearts into it so that their gifts and actions are truly meaningful.
Charity on social media
The power of social media in today's age is undeniable, especially when used by celebrities. Many difficult situations, accidents, and serious illnesses can be instantly publicized and generate significant donations thanks to a post by a reputable group or individual with widespread attention. However, because of this ease, speed, and powerful reach, many cases, after initial support, have led to public outrage upon realizing the money was misused. At this point, people can't help but wonder if even compassion is being exploited for personal gain.
Previously, Mr. Nguyen Van Tap (Long Xuyen City) participated in many Facebook groups to gather information about buying and selling real estate; selling goods online, planting trees, learning skills, etc. These groups had strict rules, only allowing posts according to the established guidelines, but occasionally there were exceptions prioritizing posts appealing for help for difficult and special circumstances. Commonly, these included posts about newborns with serious illnesses, victims of traffic accidents whose relatives could not be found, elderly people or children who were lost, and lottery ticket vendors who were scammed… “I noticed that some situations were posted repeatedly, and in some cases, the person's image was still being exploited to solicit donations even though they had passed away many years ago,” Mr. Tap said.
In the online environment, even when dealing with real people and real actions, charity doesn't stop at simply giving and helping those in need. It has become a tool for individuals to polish their image, distorting the core values of humanity that have existed for so long. A gift-giving event might be heartwarming and joyful for both sides if it didn't involve so much time-consuming staging for photos and videos, demanding recipients express their feelings… while the value of the support is minimal. The line between genuine compassion and superficial exploitation can be very thin. Mr. Nguyen Huy Danh (a primary school teacher in Chau Phu district) believes that charity needs to be done correctly, for the right people, and in the right place. If you want to help someone, it's best to donate through the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Red Cross, and reputable newspapers, clearly stating the address.
The feelings of those involved.
Unpleasant incidents surrounding charitable activities between "givers" and "recipients" not only create public opinion but also affect those who are genuinely engaged in humanitarian work. Ms. Kim Linh, who has been involved in charitable activities in Phu Tan district for over 10 years, expressed that most members involved in volunteer work are elderly or retired people who find joy in contributing to society. This also presents a challenge when they directly verify the circumstances, receive donations, and personally deliver money or gifts to those in need.
“We will prioritize the most urgent cases, such as work accidents, traffic accidents, and terminal illnesses requiring urgent treatment… There are many difficult circumstances, but according to procedure, we still have to verify with the local authorities and gather accurate information before calling for support. In some cases, after a long wait, people think we are biased, favoring some people and neglecting others, or that some situations require more money than others… While all contributions and donations are publicly disclosed, detailing the amount of money… Not to mention that in some cases, those doing charity work are sometimes unfairly misrepresented and misunderstood,” Ms. Linh shared.
The inherent goodness in every person is a beautiful quality. However, the desire to help all the poor and needy in society is impossible, because the few situations we see and hear about are only a small fraction of the countless situations that need help in reality. Individuals and organizations calling for support for those in need must adhere to regulations regarding the collection, acceptance, distribution, and use of donations. People need to be vigilant and carefully verify information before deciding to donate to charity, avoiding being scammed by unscrupulous individuals or criminals. Charity is not a mere trend; it requires careful consideration so that every penny and every gift reaches those in need in the most meaningful way.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/ngam-chuyen-lam-tu-thien-a418595.html
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