In Thuan My village (Thuong Hong ward, Hung Yen province), the small old house of Mr. Bui Ngoc Thach (66 years old) and Mrs. Vu Thi Dinh (64 years old) is quietly located at the end of the hamlet. No one thought that behind the degraded roof was nearly ten years of fighting illness and days of saving every meal.
When he was healthy, his wife and he lived by transplanting rice for hire. Fields were the only source of livelihood, although hard, it was enough to maintain life. However, an accident struck when Mr. Thach suffered a stroke, his health seriously declined. Mrs. Dinh also suffered from diabetes, and her strength gradually weakened. Since then, life, which was already difficult, has become even more difficult.
Without pensions, without stable income, the couple has become poor households for many years. Mr. Thach often has to be treated at the Geriatric Hospital, and drug costs have become a heavy burden. Whenever the weather changes, his hands and feet tremble and convulse, and walking becomes difficult.
Even so, in the days when they could still get up, the couple still tried to go to the fields to grow rice to eat. Slow steps, trembling hands still tried to cling to the fields as a way to cling to life. "If you don't work, what will you eat?" - Ms. Dinh said, her voice weak.
Their children all went to work far away, their private lives were still full of worries. Occasionally, children sent back a little money but not regularly. The daughter had married far away, and had little opportunity to visit. Every time they were poor, they had to borrow money from neighbors, and then save every penny to pay off gradually.
The couple's meal is often just a bowl of vegetables, a little salt. Some days when rice runs out, they have to borrow temporarily to make ends meet. The "hungry meal, full meal" life has become familiar for many years.
The old house of the couple has also deteriorated over time. Every time it rains heavily, water leaks down to every corner, but the couple does not have money to repair it. The items in the house are simple, old, and nothing of value.
Amidst poverty and persistent illness, what makes people most tormented is the image of two old people leaning on each other to live each day. No longer having the strength to work, no solid support, they still try to hold on, hoping to have a little more health to take care of themselves.
Mr. Dao Dinh Bau - Deputy Village Head of Thuan My - said that Mr. Thach and Mrs. Dinh's family has been one of the households in the most difficult circumstances in the village for many years.
Both are old, have prolonged illnesses, are no longer able to work, and their lives mainly depend on the support of their children and the help of neighbors. The local authorities also regularly care, but the circumstances are still very difficult" - Mr. Bau shared.
The circumstances of Mr. Bui Ngoc Thach and Ms. Vu Thi Dinh really need the joint help of the community, so that their last days of life will be somewhat less arduous.
All support please contact: Mr. Bui Ngoc Thach, Thuan My village (Thuong Hong ward, Hung Yen province).
All help for life situation LD26105 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.
