Assisting single mothers and others experiencing hardship during the COVID-19 crisis is of the utmost importance to Chau Nguyen, the administrator of the 12,000-member Facebook group, Vietnamese Mothers of Australia.
The group has rallied during these difficult times by gathering groceries and household items like packets of rice, instant noodles, nappies, milk, and other essentials, for delivery to the homes of single mothers, international students and people who have lost their jobs.
Ms Nguyen tells SBS Vietnamese that the efforts come as some single mothers are unable to afford to pay their rent after losing their jobs.
"There are many mothers in difficult circumstances, they do not know where to seek help. Because of their pride, they do not want to rely on anyone. When other women open their hearts to offer help, they reveal that they may be running out of rice, or they are about to give birth and have no money to buy nappies and cannot survive for two more weeks.
“I want them to get rid of their shyness and to speak up so that other mothers can help. Regardless of if they are an international student, a single mum or hold any visa, we are here for help. This is a difficult time, people need to help each other without benefit.”
So far, more than 60 shipments have been gathered in two weeks and distributed in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast.
The number of rice packets keeps increasing. Source: Supplied
The group encourages anyone with disposable income to donate, while those who have time are encouraged to volunteer by delivering goods where they are needed most.
Members of the group have even offered up spare rooms to mothers facing homelessness.
"At first, when I called out, I did not expect the Vietnamese Australian mums to respond so enthusiastically. Some have sent $1000 directly into my bank account.
“Many of them asked to join in as a shipping and package team. Because of the social distancing, I cannot let too many people get involved in the shipping and packing."
Single mother Han says she was in tears when she received goods from the group, which she says will help her family live for a month.
Rice and instant noodles are delivered to door of those in need. Source: Supplied
“I was so touched that they brought the goods to my house," Han says.
"The meat and rice are enough for me to eat for a week, the nappies are enough for my baby to use for a month. I want to cry. Why they are so kind? even they are still in difficult situations.”
Efforts by the Facebook group have inspired others from the community to take part in relief work.
Melbourne man Quy Don Gian has been working with Ms Nguyen to spread the word to the wider community.
He reached out to his friends to assist, including the owner of the Vietnamese grocery store in the Melbourne suburb of Springvale, called Binh Minh.
The efforts of the two community leaders have caught on, with several families joining in to donate more than seven tonnes of rice and hundreds of boxes of noodles.
Chau Nguyen, packing up items for delivery. Source: Supplied
“There are many international students with expired visas and are currently stuck in Australia. Nail salons are closed and so many people lost their jobs. When I asked my friends where to buy rice to help them, they asked me why I wanted to buy so much. After telling them my purpose, they gave one tonne of rice, some even do two tonnes of rice,” Mr Quy said.
Hundreds of people who are struggling to get through their day are contacting Mr Quy for assistance.
He says he has contacted wholesalers to get the cheapest and best rice.
“Rice is hard to find and expensive now. At the wholesaler, a bag of Rose branded rice costs $65, while the retail shop sold for more than $80. The same issue goes for instant noodles. Buying in bulk at wholesale prices is more cost-efficient.”
Working with him are a number of volunteers, who assist by carrying bags of rice to their cars and deliver them to people most in need.
“Today our team has two volunteers delivering rice in South Melbourne, Richmond, and the CBD. I have a car while many people don’t, so I help with delivery. I hope that my little work will encourage those who are facing difficulties in life at this time.”
