Huỳnh Quỳnh Như, a new graduate of HCM City University of Foreign Languages-Information Technology, donates blood. —VNS Photo Gia Lộc |
HCM CITY— The honorary South African Consul in HCM City on Wednesday launched a community-based programme called Nhà Sạch Đón Tết (Cleaning House to Welcome Tết) to raise funds for Lunar New Year charity activities.
Consul Đỗ Thị Kim Liên said that more than 2,000 university students would provide housecleaning services, a traditional activity before Tết, to families in the city, until February 7.
The money raised from the service will be used to buy presents and materials that students need to make 1,500 sticky rice cakes for the homeless and those living in social welfare centres in the city.
Nguyễn Ngọc Kim Chi, a junior at HCM City University of Foreign Languages-Information Technology, said she had participated in the programme once before.
At the launch ceremony, 700 students and others donated 338 units of blood for the holiday period when blood shortages often occur. The Blood Transfusion Hematology Hospital in HCM City has asked for blood donations from the public. — VNS