In a dilapidated temporary house, with little sunshine and leaky rain, located deep in Xeo Duoc 1 hamlet, Dong Yen commune, An Bien district (Kien Giang), is the pitiful situation of an 86-year-old mother. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bay wipes away tears every day as she watches her son, Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong (49 years old), fight against nasopharyngeal cancer every minute.
Mrs. Bay’s family is near-poor, without any land or valuable assets. Previously, Cuong was still healthy, working for a living to support his elderly mother. But now, his health has deteriorated, and each pain he feels is like tearing his elderly mother’s heart.
At this age, Mrs. Bay should be enjoying her old age with her children and grandchildren, but all the family burdens are on her shoulders. "I am so old and weak, I can't do anything. Seeing my child sick but not having money to treat him, I feel so sad as a mother, I can only cry," Mrs. Bay choked up.
"My son's illness is very serious and I don't know how long he can survive, but I also don't know how many days I will have to take care of him in my old age. Thinking about that, I feel helpless and heartbroken, not knowing how to overcome it," Mrs. Bay said with tears in her eyes.
Difficulties and poverty not only left her helpless in the face of her son’s illness, but also deprived her grandson of the opportunity to study. Vo Van Nghia, 14 years old, had to stop studying and help support his family.
Mrs. Bay said that Nghia's mother had gone away to work many years ago, leaving Nghia to be taken care of by her and Cuong. But since Cuong fell ill, Nghia had to quit school to help with the housework.
"He is still young but has to suffer, not being able to go to school. I feel so sorry for him but what can I do? I just want money to treat him even though I know there is no chance. I want money to send him to school. I am old so anything is fine," Mrs. Bay choked up.
Mr. Phan Van Phe, Secretary of Dong Yen Commune Youth Union, said: Currently, the whole family lives on Mrs. Bay's monthly elderly allowance (500,000 VND/month). Neighbors sympathize and help the family with rice. Local authorities and organizations have tried to mobilize support for Mrs. Bay's family through social security funds. However, with the huge cost of cancer treatment and daily life, that support can only help Mrs. Bay's family overcome temporary difficulties.
"We hope that kind-hearted people near and far can join hands to help Mrs. Bay's family overcome this difficult period as well as help Nghia have a better future," said Mr. Phe.
At the end of the year, everyone is busy preparing for Tet, but for Mrs. Bay's family, worrying about every meal is a burden, so the joy of reunion is too far away.
Any help for the life of LD25001, please send to: Golden Heart Social Charity Fund - 51 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Account number (STK) 113000000758 at Vietinbank Hoan Kiem Branch, Hanoi; STK: 0021000303088 - at Vietcombank Hanoi Branch; STK: 12410001122556 - at BIDV Hoan Kiem Branch.
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Or contact Mr. Phan Van Phe, Secretary of Dong Yen Commune Youth Union, An Bien District, Kien Giang Province. Phone number: 0944.757.536
