British teacher in Vietnam ‘begs for meal’ during COVID-19
WeChat ID: ijobchina
Schools closure due to COVID-19 outbreak left Mr. John, an English teacher in Ho Chi Minh city unemployed. No money to live, he had to beg for help from strangers.
Recently, Thanh Nien newspaper published an article about a foreign teacher, standing at the corner of Vo Van Kiet – Nguyen Tri Phuong street with a board in his hand writing (in Vietnamese) “No job. Help me to buy food. Thank you!”.
He
is John (53 years old, British). He came to Vietnam in 2003, worked in
Ho Chi Minh city for 6 years then back to the UK. In 2015, he returned
to Vietnam to continue working as an English teacher. However, since the
COVID-19 outbreak, he has been in difficult situation as there is no
way to earn for living.
“I’m ashamed, but I don’t know what else to do”
Mr. John shared “I just came up with this idea last weekend when the savings were exhausted. I stood in the street for about 2 hours. Some people left when they saw me, some gave me VND20,000 – 50,000 (USD 0.86-2.1). With about VND200,000 (USD 8.6), I went home to buy food.”
“The only reason I can do this is because I’m wearing a face mask. People do not recognize who I am. Honestly, I’m ashamed but no longer know what to do. I have to live,” said John.
Mr. John said he worked at a private educational unit in Ho Chi Minh city. For nearly five months now, he has not had any income because all schools and language centers have been closed due to the COVID-19. With the remaining money in his account, John had to pay the visa and the rent, so he could not afford to buy food.
“My income from
teaching is about VND20 million per month. I paid the rent VND6
million/month and the visa fee VND4 million/3 months. But now, I’m only
spending money, not earning any money. I really have no other choice,”
Mr. John shared.
Desire to return home
Mr. John. said that many of his foreign friends in Vietnam are in the same situation because of the Covid-19 crisis, so he could not ask them to help. He said: "My friends in the UK have sent money to help me but they are currently facing difficulties. Things were blocked so they couldn't send me money constantly.”
A principal of a primary in Ho Chi Minh city confirmed that Mr. John.D had taught at the school in the first term last year. Since Tet holiday, the school has closed due to the COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the representative of the English center where Mr. John collaborated, said “He is a part-time teacher of the center. The center was closed due to the pandemic so he did not have a salary. This is also the same situation of part-time teachers here”.
The representative also said the center has a policy of supporting full-time teachers. Particularly in the case of Mr. John, if the center knows his situation sooner, they will have support. "I also hope the sponsors can support and help Mr. John," he said.
Reportedly, Mr. John is not married; His parents in the UK both died long ago. His married sister also had financial difficulties.
“I want to go back to my hometown but I
cannot pay for the plane ticket now, ”he said sadly. "The restaurant is
closed, without money, I have to cook to save money," he added.
“I’m fine, please give this help to others’’
After the photos were shared, Mr. John received a lot of support.
"I was overwhelmed by the kindness of Vietnamese people. I got food and job. Please help others", John wrote on the board
“I’m really fine. Today I received a lot of assistance. Even, now I’m being offered so many jobs that I cannot take them all. I would like to refuse this help. Please give it to other people with difficulties” John said.
Mr.
John said, since he couldn't take all offered jobs, he would like to
share them with his foreign friends who are also struggling during the
crisis.
“I’m very grateful to Vietnamese’s kindness. Lots of people offer to help me through phone conversations. And I’m really sorry to not meet them directly. Maybe I will turn off the phone in a few days to prepare for my work,” John said.
Ms. Luong Ngoc Ha (68 years old), John’s acquaintance, said he is a self-respecting person. He refused to accept money and gifts from helpers for not wanting all these supports given to only him. There are millions of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic who also need help.
“Mutual support is always needed in life. But I’m fine now. Everybody, don’t worry about me. Please help others,” said teacher John.
Hundreds of people came to John's house to offer help.
John returns donated money to help other people with difficulties
Mr. Phong Le (Ho Chi Minh city) – the first person to upload John’s pictures on Facebook said John transferred him VND 36,3million donation, asking him to redistribute it to other disadvantaged people.
This is the amount of money kindhearted people have donated to John since his pictures were posted.
"I'm fine now, got a job. I would like to receive a little food and some money only. The rest I desire to send to others." John told Phong.
“John had gone begging once to twice per week. Each time, he just asked enough for buying canned fish and bread, no begging futher. Receiving the VND48.3 million donation, he wanna to spend VND 12 million on two-month house rent. For the rest, he asked me to send to the poorer people,” Phong said.
“Who wants to ignore self-esteem to go begging? But in his case. I think he has no other way,” Phong sympathetic.
Source: EnglishTeacher, https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/GAYr1PEWlNFJRmC7P66o1Q
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