Citizens are thankful for the help from Club SOS Buôn Ma Thuột. — Photo Infonet/baomoi.com

ĐẮK LẮK — A group of volunteers has been helping citizens repair their vehicles free-of-charge across Buôn Ma Thuột City.

The group named Club SOS Buôn Ma Thuột has been aiding people day and night, fixing motorbikes at a time when most repair services were closed for the holidays.

"I was on my way to a relative's house when my tyres were punctured," said Hoàng Thị Mỹ, a local resident. "As it was Tết (Lunar New Year), no repair shops were open and I was worried. Luckily a Grab driver showed up, called his friends for help and my bike was fixed."

Đỗ Tuấn Anh, the group leader, said that his group was usually active from around 7pm to midnight, offering free help to people with motorbike problems, such as punctures and empty gas tanks.

"As all repair shops were closed for Tết, we had to be ready to help people day and night," said Anh.

"My fondest memory of Tết repair work was when I helped two British tourists with a puncture. Although there is a language barrier, I felt their happiness when we were able to help them."

Club SOS Buôn Ma Thuột was founded in 2019 by truck and Grab drivers to help people with vehicle problems in the city.

The group originally paid for the repair equipment themselves, but soon received donations from benefactors and repair shops who appreciated their work.

During the pandemic, the group almost shut down as many members had to leave due to economic difficulties. But five members stayed on to continue the free repairs, as well as volunteering to help combat the pandemic in Buôn Ma Thuột.

As life slowly returns to normal, the club now has eleven members, including 18-year-old freshman student Nguyễn Văn Nam.

"I decided to join the club because I was impressed by the positive impact of their work," said Nam. "I followed senior members for several nights to learn how to patch tyres and check batteries. Hopefully, I can help others in the future." — VNS