In the temporary house built on the land of relatives in Phuoc Loi hamlet, Thanh Phuoc commune, Vinh Long province, sighs seemed to be more than laughter. Unexpected illness rushed in, making the already difficult family even more exhausted.
Mr. Ho Van Thao Em (43 years old) used to be the main breadwinner of the family. Previously, he did whatever jobs he was hired for, from construction worker, gardener to porter, as long as there was income to take care of his wife and daughter.
About three years ago, his health seriously declined. Continuous pain tormented him, making him no longer able to work. From being the pillar of the family, he became a patient who had to live on the care of his wife.
At the beginning of June 2026, diabetes complications caused his leg to become severely necrotic, forcing surgery. After many days of treatment at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Hospital, he returned home with weak health and still had to undergo long-term treatment.
According to his discharge paper dated June 17, 2026, he suffered from many complex diseases such as pneumonia, diabetes with leg necrosis complications, electrolyte disorders, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia and many other underlying diseases, requiring re-examination and regular medication.
Lying on the old bed, the thin man tried to suppress the pain. Mr. Thao Em said that what torments him the most is not illness, but not having enough strength to work to take care of his family as before.
In the past, when I was healthy, I did whatever anyone hired me to do. Now walking is also difficult, all burdens fall on my wife's shoulders. I am only afraid that my daughter will have to drop out of school because she has no money to take care of her grandchild," Mr. Thao Em choked up.
That burden now falls entirely on Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong's shoulders. Every day, she roams around selling each lottery ticket, taking advantage of taking care of her sick husband. Her meager income is not enough to pay for medicine, living expenses and children's education.
The family does not have production land, nor does it have a private house, for many years they have had to live on relatives' land. The cost of medicine for Mr. Thao Em is increasing day by day, while the only source of income depends on the lottery tickets sold every day.
The youngest daughter is currently in 7th grade at Vo Van Lan Secondary School and still tries to go to school with the dream of studying like her peers. But in the current situation, the mother is always worried because she does not know if she still has enough ability to raise her child to continue going to school.
Every time he looks at his daughter diligently studying under the lights, Mr. Thao Em quietly turns his face away to hide his tears. The father is only afraid that one day, his daughter will have to put aside her dream of studying just because the family no longer has enough money to cover expenses.
Mr. Hai Thanh, a neighbor of the family, said that Mr. Thao Em used to be very diligent, gentle and hardworking. Since suffering from a serious illness, all activities depend on his wife, and family life is increasingly difficult.
Seeing Thao Em's situation, everyone feels sorry for her. Neighbors help with whatever they have, some give a little rice, some support a few hundred thousand VND. But the illness is prolonged, the cost of medicine is increasing every day, so the family is still very difficult," Mr. Hai Thanh shared.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Linh - Chairwoman of the Thanh Phuoc Commune Red Cross Society, Mr. Ho Van Thao Em's family is considered a near-poor household, in particularly difficult circumstances. The locality has confirmed the dossier so that the family has a basis to access support sources.
Mr. Thao Em's illness is prolonged, while the family has almost no stable income. We hope philanthropists and benefactors will join hands to support him to have conditions to continue treatment and help the young child continue to go to school," Ms. Linh said.
In the middle of a simple house, what the seriously ill father longed for most was not a full life, but only more opportunities to treat his illness to continue living with his family and keep his daughter's future in education. For him, that was the greatest hope amidst the difficult days.
All help for life situation LD26180, please send to Tam Long Vang Charity Social Fund - 51 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem Ward, 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 directly Mr. Nguyen Thi Phuong, Thanh Phuoc commune, Vinh Long province: Phone number: 0889 117 276
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