Ho Chi Minh CitySeeing many students struggling to find accommodation, Mr Thanh turned his 30 square meter house into a free residence, while the whole family rented another place.
It’s been more than a month now, Mr. Nguyen Hoai Thanh’s phone, 32, keeps ringing because someone is calling asking for accommodation. His family’s 30 sqm house at Jalan Cach Mang 8, Bangsal 11, District 3 has been free accommodation for 6 students since February, when the university reopened after the epidemic.
“Seeing young people struggling to find a place to live but room prices are high, I got the idea to turn this house into a free hostel while the couple rents out,” said Thanh, owner of the barber shop. .
After discussing with his wife, he went to buy more important things, installed bunk beds, air conditioning … to greet people with the promise “to stay until you graduate”. Not only free for the room, if too difficult, Thanh and his wife also support more electricity and water bills.
The house in Ward 11, District 3 was cleaned by Mr Thanh before welcoming 6 students for a free stay starting mid-February 2022. Photo: Characters provided
Thanh bought this house in 2018, after years of hard work in Saigon. Before becoming a residence for 6 students, he gave 3 to 4 working poor and homeless people free accommodation. In mid-2021, the house was empty for the first time, as workers returned to their hometowns to escape the outbreak.
Over the years with her husband living in a motel, his wife Thanh never complained, on the contrary always supported her husband’s decision. “Knowing my husband’s character, I encourage him not to overdo it. For homework and work at the barbershop, I have extra support,” said the wife.
Many people say he is “crazy, giving houses to strangers and renting out houses”, but he ignores it because he “understands the difficulties and needs of the poor who come to the city”.
The salon owner recalled that 22 years ago, when he was 9 years old, he followed his family from Dong Nai to Ho Chi Minh City to earn a living. “There is more to hungry food than a full meal, but my biggest fear is not having enough money to pay for accommodation, being kicked out on the street. Until now, I want students to have a better life, don’t give up because they are struggling to make a living. miss the opportunity to learn and hope that when they succeed, they can come back to help in other difficult situations”, Mr. Thanh recounts.
Mr. Nguyen Hoai Thanh, who opened a dormitory for students to stay for free from February 2022. Photo: Characters provided
Among the students Mr Thanh helped was Duc Anh, from Long An, a student at Ho Chi Minh City Vocational School. After the Tet vacation, second year students head to the city to find accommodation. Struggling to find a roommate due to high room rates, Duc Anh reads Thanh’s post. Suspicious, but he’s still trying to get in touch.
After talking for almost an hour, the male student moved to a new place. Hearing her son boast about being able to stay in free accommodation, Duc Anh’s mother couldn’t believe it, telling her to be careful because “no stranger offered to help out for free”. “But meeting and interacting with Mr. Thanh, I realized that kindness is always present in life,” the student was touched.
The 30 m2 house is full, but the number of students asking for help is increasing. He discussed with his wife renting three more houses in District 5, District 8, and Phu Nhuan District, because he “couldn’t refuse”. To date, Mr Thanh’s four homes have accepted 15 students despite his family’s poor economy after months of no income due to the pandemic.
“To be honest, I haven’t been able to rent more student support rooms because of my tight economy. But definitely in the near future, I will expand the model in Binh Thanh, Go Vap, Thu Duc City and many other districts.”, he smiled and emphasized that he never expected to return the favor, but just wanted to see the smiles on the students’ faces.
Duc Anh students at a free boarding house in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, at noon on March 17. Photo: Characters provided
This is not the first time a hair salon owner has done charity work. In 2018, Mr. Thanh opened a barbershop and provided vocational training to disadvantaged youth who were unable to attend school or have regular jobs. In 2020, he hosted a 2,000 VND haircut for students across the country. In June 2021, he formed a team that specializes in haircuts in field hospitals, serving medical staff, Covid-19 patients and orphans.
“As long as I can help other people, I will even if it’s difficult,” he laughs.
Quynh Nguyen
at Blogtuan.info – Source: vnexpress.net – Read the original article here
