In Vietnam, Machine Provides Free Rice to People During Coronavirus
2020-04-20
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1A Vietnamese businessman has invented a machine that provides free rice for people out of work during the coronavirus crisis.
2The device operates 24 hours a day, just like a bank money machine, or ATM.
3Businessman Hoang Tuan Anh set up his first rice machine in Ho Chi Minh City.
4"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," Anh said.
5Vietnam is under a nationwide stay-at-home order to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
6During the order, many small businesses have been forced to close.
7This has left thousands of people unable to work.
8Nguyen Thi Ly is a 34-year-old mother of three.
9Her husband is unemployed because of the coronavirus restrictions.
10She said, "This rice ATM has been helpful. With this one bag of rice, we can have enough for one day."
11She added, "Now, we only need other food. Our neighbors sometimes give us some leftover food, or we have instant noodles."
12The machine releases 1.5 kilograms of rice from a small container to waiting workers.
13Many of those waiting in line are street sellers.
14Others earn a living from direct paying jobs like house cleaning.
15Before creating the rice machine, Hoang Tuan Anh had donated smart doorbells to hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City to help with virus-fighting efforts.
16But then he decided to use his technological experience to find a new solution to get free food to the public.
17State media in Vietnam reports that similar "rice ATMs" have been set up in other big cities like Hanoi, Hue and Danang.
18Anh said he wanted people to feel like they still could still get food and resources, even with worsening economic conditions.
19Many people in the Communist-ruled nation depend on government financial help during such difficult times.
20Vietnam has also approved economic assistance measures to help some of those hurt by the current situation.
21But some workers who earn a living from street businesses - like Nguyen Thi Ly and her family - say they have not received enough support.
22She told Reuters reporters that her family does not have enough money to pay for housing and other necessary things.
23"I read about this rice ATM on the internet. I came to check it out, and couldn't believe it came out for real," Ly said.
24"I really hope the sponsors would keep doing this until the end of the pandemic."
25I'm Bryan Lynn.
1A Vietnamese businessman has invented a machine that provides free rice for people out of work during the coronavirus crisis.The device operates 24 hours a day, just like a bank money machine, or ATM. 2Businessman Hoang Tuan Anh set up his first rice machine in Ho Chi Minh City. 3"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," Anh said. 4Vietnam is under a nationwide stay-at-home order to help stop the spread of COVID-19. During the order, many small businesses have been forced to close. This has left thousands of people unable to work. 5Nguyen Thi Ly is a 34-year-old mother of three. Her husband is unemployed because of the coronavirus restrictions. She said, "This rice ATM has been helpful. With this one bag of rice, we can have enough for one day." 6She added, "Now, we only need other food. Our neighbors sometimes give us some leftover food, or we have instant noodles." 7The machine releases 1.5 kilograms of rice from a small container to waiting workers. Many of those waiting in line are street sellers. Others earn a living from direct paying jobs like house cleaning. 8Before creating the rice machine, Hoang Tuan Anh had donated smart doorbells to hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City to help with virus-fighting efforts. But then he decided to use his technological experience to find a new solution to get free food to the public. 9State media in Vietnam reports that similar "rice ATMs" have been set up in other big cities like Hanoi, Hue and Danang. Anh said he wanted people to feel like they still could still get food and resources, even with worsening economic conditions. 10Many people in the Communist-ruled nation depend on government financial help during such difficult times. Vietnam has also approved economic assistance measures to help some of those hurt by the current situation. 11But some workers who earn a living from street businesses - like Nguyen Thi Ly and her family - say they have not received enough support. She told Reuters reporters that her family does not have enough money to pay for housing and other necessary things. 12"I read about this rice ATM on the internet. I came to check it out, and couldn't believe it came out for real," Ly said. "I really hope the sponsors would keep doing this until the end of the pandemic." 13I'm Bryan Lynn. 14Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 15We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. 16________________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18refer - v. to talk about someone or something 19assure - v. to tell someone that something is true, especially so that they do not worry 20instant - adj. happening immediately 21noodles - n. thin pieces of pasta used in Chinese cooking 22sponsor - n. an arrangement in which someone gives money to support something 23pandemic - n. an illness that spreads around the world