Since Tuesday, Macanese restaurant Cozinha Aida has been providing two kilogrammes of rice each for free to those who are unemployed or are in need.
The Macau Post Daily spoke with the co-owner and manager of Cozinha Aida, Manuel Jesus (called Jito by his friends), yesterday outside his restaurant on Avenida de Sidónio Pais.
“We heard of many laid-off workers who shared [their situation] on Facebook, saying that they cannot afford to eat due to being unemployed”, Jito said, adding: Initially we chipped in a little bit of [money] to buy some rice for [people in need]”.
When asked why he chose to hand out rice instead of other food, Jito said that rice is suitable for both adults and babies, as rice can be used in different dishes. However, he said, he previously planned to distribute instant noodles, but he did not know any instant noodle suppliers so he chose to provide rice. Jito added that he did not want to spend money at the supermarkets.
He pointed out that after people found out about their project, many of them sponsored the restaurant to continue with the programme. Jito noted that as of yesterday his restaurant had received 20,000 patacas in donations since the project started on Tuesday. Jito also said there were over 100 people who queued up for the rice at one time.
“I will not check whether the person is in need or not, I will just hand the rice out to people lining up [outside Cozinha Aida] because I believe that those queueing up for the rice are facing difficulties,” Jito pointed out, adding that the project will run until Saturday. His restaurant gives out 500 kg of rice each day, which is handed out at 6:30 p.m. until there is none left. Jito also told The Macau Post Daily that they might continue the project if there are still people to sponsor it in future.
Moreover, he pointed out that regardless of the nationality of those queuing up, the rice is distributed to anyone in need.
The restaurant is named after Jito’s late mother, Aida Rafaela Rosa de Jesus, endearingly called Dona Aida by her legion of friends and admirers, who passed away last year at the age of 105. She was known as the “Godmother of Macanese Cuisine”.
“Cozinha” is the Portuguese word for “kitchen”.
Jito poses yesterday in front of the area used to distribute rice next to Cozinha Aida, Macau’s legendary Macanese restaurant.
Photos: Rui Pastorin
Bags of rice are placed yesterday in front of the portrait of the restaurant’s late founder “Dona Aida”, aka “The Godmother of Macanese Cuisine”.
People come to collect rice at the distribution area yesterday evening.
