INTERNATIONAL MEDIA PRAISES FOR “RICE ATMs” IN VIETNAM
According to CNN: “A machine that gives out free rice - it sounds TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. But these "rice ATMs" have been set up around Vietnam to help those who need it most during the coronavirus pandemic.
Those waiting in line are required to stand six feet apart from each other and they must use hand sanitizer before receiving their rice. In Hanoi, rice contained in a large water tank pours out into residents' bags from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. In Ho Chi Minh City, a rice ATM dispenses rice 24/7. Rice ATMs also appeared in Hue and Da Nang.
Reuters reported the story through the view of people who temporarily laid off from work.
Nguyen Thi Ly’s husband was among those who have lost their job.“This rice ATM has been helpful. With this one bag of rice, we can have enough for one day,” said the 34-year-old mother of three children. “I read about this rice ATM on the internet. I came to check it out, and COULD’T BELIEVE IT CAME OUT FOR REAL. I really hope the sponsors would keep doing this until the end of the pandemic,” said Ly.
Reuters also interviewed Mr. Hoang Tuan Anh, the businessman behind the idea, “I refer to this machine as a ‘rice ATM’ because people can withdraw rice from it, assured that there are STILL GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE who want to give them a second chance.”
Reuters story is republished on other international media outlet such as USNews, New York Post, British Herald, Bangkok Post, UAE’s Gulf News, Taipei Times, Australia’s ABC News.
International Business Times called it “INGENIOUS WAY TO FEED PEOPLE IN NEED”.
They also interviewed Mr. Tuan Anh, who explained that when someone in front of the camera presses the button, the valve automatically opens and around 1.5 kg of rice from the tank flows down the pipeline. Tuan Anh hired three employees who took turn watching the camera and pressed the “off” button on the phone app if they identified anyone who wanted to take the charitable twice a day. “I just want to make sure one gets enough proportion for the day and there’re enough left for others”, Tuan was quoted as saying.
Initially, Tuan Anh’s company intended to deliver around 500kg rice each day, but it actually amounted to one ton on the first day. Many individuals and organizations had donated tens to hundreds of kg to Tuan Anh’s meaningful project. Some even drove their truck with tons of rice to the place.
