On a beautiful afternoon on September 10th, 2020, representatives of the Compassion Books program visited the Central Geriatric Hospital to donate books to the patients. Miss Ngoc Han and her team arrived at 3:30 pm, bringing with them 272 books worth over 22 million VND. The hospital bookshelf was part of a larger community bookshelf project that Compassion Books had been developing across different locations and communities. The project had previously donated books to hospitals such as Cho Ray Hospital, Children’s Hospital 1, and the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.
The Central Geriatric Hospital was the last stop in this series of donations. Dr. Nguyen Trung Anh, the hospital director, spoke at the donation ceremony, expressing his gratitude for the generosity of the Compassion Books program. He shared that the hospital’s mission was to provide the best possible care for elderly patients from all over the country. The hospital staff aimed to create a humane healthcare environment that catered to the patients’ physical and mental health needs. To that end, they had recently built a “Cultural Space” that included a Compassion Books bookshelf and patient clubs. This space would serve as a place where patients could relax, learn, and share knowledge about treatment and disease prevention.
The donation of 272 books was a significant contribution to the Cultural Space’s collection. The books covered a wide range of topics, including general medicine, literature, philosophy, history, and culture. Dr. Nguyen Trung Anh emphasized that reading books was not just a relaxing activity but also a therapy that could improve memory and promote positive thinking, especially for the elderly.
The donation ceremony was a heartwarming moment for all involved. The patients and hospital staff were grateful for Compassion Books’ generosity and the opportunity to add more books to the Cultural Space. The elderly patients, in particular, appreciated the gesture, as they often felt lonely and isolated. Reading books was a way for them to connect with the world, learn new things, and feel a sense of companionship.
In conclusion, the Compassion Books program’s donation to the Central Geriatric Hospital was a meaningful and thoughtful act of kindness. The books brought joy and comfort to the patients and contributed to their overall well-being. The hospital staff was thankful for the program’s support and hoped that more organizations would follow in Compassion Books’ footsteps and contribute to improving the lives of elderly patients in hospitals.
