JAKARTA - In addition to the increasing number of positive COVID-19 around the world, many people are encouraging people to care for others. There are those who donate coffers of income to charities, donate in the form of personal protective equipment to medical personnel, and also provide rice to the poor.
One of the stories came from a Vietnamese businessman from Ho Chi Minh City named Hoang Tuan Anh. He created a machine like a dispenser that provides free rice for 24 hours. The free rice is aimed at people who have lost their jobs affected by the 15-day lockdown starting March 31.
According to Reuters, the action of Hoang Tuan Anh, the businessman behind the idea of a 'rice ATM,' has already donated a number of smart doorbells to hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, he has recently shifted his expertise to developing food distribution technology.
Now, similar 'rice ATMs' have been set up in other major cities, such as Hanoi, Hue and Danang. In his statement, Ang said that he wanted Vietnamese citizens to have access to food and other resources despite their economic difficulties.
"I call this machine a 'rice ATM' because people can withdraw rice from there as a form that there are still good people out there who want to give them a second chance," he said.
One of those affected by the loss of work due to COVID-19 is Nguyen Thi Ly's husband. He felt helped by the existence of this rice ATM. "This rice ATM is very helpful. With one bag of rice, we have enough for the day."
"Now, we just need other food. Our neighbors sometimes give us leftovers or we eat instant noodles," said the 34-year-old woman who has three children.
The machine distributes 1.5 kilograms of rice from a storage area to the queuing workers. Among other things, those who daily sell on the streets or people who make a living from home work, such as taking care of the household or selling lottery tickets.
"I read about this rice ATM on the internet. I then went to check it and couldn't believe the rice actually came out. I really hope the donors will continue to do this until the end of the pandemic," Ly concluded.
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