We are raising money on behalf of Ngoc and her mum who have worked tirelessly everyday, six days a week, for over 8 years at her shop. She is the sole chef and owner of the shop and a proud Vietnamese single mum of two.

On 18 September 2024, Ngoc's mum burned herself while attempting to move a huge pot of boiling broth that fell on her, sustaining second and third degree burns to over 20% of her body. For hours she refused to go with Ngoc to the hospital and insisted on continuing to serve customers and staying open. She is now hospitalised with painful, blistering wounds all over her face, arms, and neck. Due to the increasing severity of her conditions she is awaiting skin grafting surgery and will need to be closely monitored for weeks to come. The severity of her condition and recovery process is still uncertain. Even now as she is being treated in hospital, and in immense pain, she is really concerned about the shop rent, responsibilities and the financial consequences it will have.

Ngoc and her mum have sustained our community grassroots movements and been a crucial pillar in building and setting a foundation and culture of regular mutual aid and care work. Ngoc, who we all know and love, has shouldered the responsibilities and been the primary caretaker for her mum and extended family through all these years. Ngoc embodies the lessons and wisdom of her mum and together have co-created and built a community space to care and share resources beyond the unfair hospitality system that they have struggled through.

Ngoc’s mum from a young age cared and raised two children in and out of women’s shelters, and even to this day is experiencing unstable housing. Through the years, she has navigated a string of exploitative and unfair working environments. But beyond these restraints imposed on her by racial capitalism, she is a woman full of so many dreams and passions, to which she’s rarely ever been afforded the privilege to enjoy.

Ngoc’s mum likes to sing karaoke, dance, take pictures to upload to Facebook, loves fashion, and upcycling materials for creative projects. She loves making new memories with her children and travelling, eating delicious food and being carefree!

We want to reciprocate the care and labour that Ngoc and her mum have extended to the community their whole lives, and support their family to finally have the opportunity to rest and enjoy life, without the pressure to work and make ends meet.

We are hoping to raise $25,000 for Ngoc’s mum. The funds will go towards Ngoc’s mum’s shop rent and medical costs over the next few months while she recovers and gets the rest she deserves. The shop’s landlord is continuing to push and add pressure for an increase of rent, even after the knowledge of her mum's deteriorating health after the accident. Her mum will be unable to work at the shop again due to the disability she has sustained from the accident, but might be forced to open against her wishes if we don’t find someone to take over the lease soon. This journey is unpredictable and may take longer than expected, meaning she is highly likely to accrue further debt and suffer a severe financial loss. As each month that goes by that the shop remains closed, they are losing $6k to rent with no flow of income or support.

In this time of urgent recovery, let's come together, reciprocate their care and extend our support and appreciation to Ngoc and her family. These funds will provide support for Ngoc and the shop to keep offering the crucial space to the community and sustain our vital ecosystems of mutual aid and care.

Any and all amounts are greatly appreciated. Please share far and wide with your networks. We thank you for your continued support and solidarity in this difficult time.

Let's continue dreaming, loving and supporting our elders together. In community, we have everything we need ❤️