Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, the family of Mr. Nguyen Van Cu (born in 1940) in Van Trai village, Thuong Tin commune (Hanoi) is struggling with illness and accumulated difficulties every day.
Mr. Cu used to join the army in the period 1967–1974. Returning after the war, he carried in him the sequelae of Agent Orange - a simmering pain that lasted for many years. When the weather changed, his body ached, he had to go to the hospital for treatment regularly, and his health deteriorated.
Mr. Cu's wife, Mrs. Tran Thi Nhan - now 82 years old, also suffers from many diseases. Mrs. Nhan is blind, suffers from musculoskeletal diseases, and her memory is no longer clear. In recent years, she has been almost lying in one place, and all daily activities have to be taken care of by relatives.
Mr. Cu's family has 4 children. Among them, two children are working far away, life is also difficult, so they can only occasionally visit and help somewhat. The eldest daughter, Ms. Nguyen Thi Gay (52 years old), is mentally affected due to the sequelae of Agent Orange, unable to work, living completely dependent on the family.
All burdens therefore fall on the shoulders of the youngest son, Mr. Nguyen Van Duan (born in 1980). As the main breadwinner in the family, he works as a construction worker with an income of about 6 million VND/month. Not only caring for his elderly parents and sick sister, he also has to shoulder the burden of taking care of his small family with two children of school age.
Many times when I come home tired from work, I still have to run over to take care of my parents, worry about medicine for the whole family. Income is low, work is unstable, sometimes I think it's very stressful, but if I don't work, I don't know who to rely on...", Mr. Duan said.
The meager money earned, Mr. Duan had to divide it into many expenses, from living expenses, tuition fees for his children to medicine for his parents and relatives, making life always difficult. There were times when work was precarious, income was unstable, and the family became even more impoverished.
Many times when I see my parents sick, I can't take care of myself, and I don't have the conditions to take care of them fully, I also feel helpless. My children are still young, everything depends on me, so I only know how to try to work day and night," Mr. Duan choked up sharing.
Despite the hardship, Mr. and Mrs. Duan still try to arrange time to go back and forth to take care of their parents, taking care of every meal and sleep. On days when his father is seriously ill and has to go to the hospital, he runs around everywhere worrying about medicine money, while behind him is still the worry of food and clothing for the small family.
Every month, the cost of medicine for family members is up to several hundred thousand VND, not to mention times when he is seriously ill and has to be hospitalized for long-term treatment. Meanwhile, the family has not yet received stable social allowances, all expenses depend on Mr. Duan's meager income.
The house where the family lives has also deteriorated over time. Every time there is heavy rain and wind, the whole family is worried... Old age, illness and war sequelae have made Mr. Cu's family's life extremely difficult. The pain does not stop at one person, but also lasts through many generations in the family.
Talking to a reporter of Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Tran Van Truong - Head of Van Trai village, Thuong Tin commune said that Mr. Cu's family is a particularly difficult case in the locality. Mr. Cu is affected by Agent Orange, is in poor health, his elderly wife is sick, and his children are not stable, so life is very difficult.
According to Mr. Truong, the locality has paid attention and supported within its capabilities, but the prolonged treatment costs exceed the family's ability. "We hope philanthropists will join hands to help the family have more conditions to overcome difficulties," Mr. Truong shared.
All help for life situation LD26066, please send to Tam Long Vang Charity Social Fund - 51 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Account number (STK) 113000000758 at Vietinbank Hoan Kiem Branch, Hanoi; Account number: 0021000303088 - at Vietcombank Hanoi Branch; Account number: 12410001122556 - at BIDV Hoan Kiem Branch.
Or contact Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan - Mr. Duan's wife directly via phone number: 033. 254. 9865.
