For many months, instead of regularly going to school like his peers, Mai Tien Sy (born in 2011, residing in Cau Thon village, Dong Thanh commune, Thanh Hoa province) had to drop out of school at home to take care of his seriously ill father.
My father is Mr. Mai Ba Hung (born in 1973), who is being treated after many times suffering from brain-related illnesses. Weak health, cramped limbs, unable to move on his own, makes Mr. Hung need support in all daily activities.
In the family, there are only three fathers and sons left. Sy's older brother is studying at a vocational school, so many times, the youngest son becomes the person directly on duty by his father's bedside. There are months when the two fathers and sons are at the hospital more than at home. Sy's studies are therefore constantly interrupted.
What I desire most is not anything far away, but just that my father recovers soon so that I can return to school and continue studying like my friends.
My parents divorced a long time ago. My father unfortunately had a stroke, all activities needed support, so I had to drop out of school to take care of my father. The only thing I hoped for was for my father to recover soon, for the family to be less difficult, and for me to return to school soon," Mai Tien Sy shared.
Sy's family circumstances have been difficult for many years. In 2015, while working as a hired laborer in Bac Ninh, Mr. Hung suddenly collapsed. After being taken to the hospital, he was diagnosed with cerebral aneurysm and had to undergo emergency surgery.
To have money for treatment, the family had to borrow everywhere. Although he saved his life, Mr. Hung's health has since declined and he cannot work stably.
In 2021, Mr. Hung's wife left home. The sick father alone shouldered the burden of raising two children.
At the end of 2025, Mr. Hung's illness relapsed. Seizures and headaches appeared more and more frequently. Through examination, doctors discovered a blood clot in the brain and indicated surgery. After surgery, Mr. Hung was continuously taken to the Central Rehabilitation Hospital for treatment and motor rehabilitation. After functional rehabilitation is stable, Mr. Hung will have to continue skull transplant surgery. Currently, the family is facing great financial difficulties and needs the help of philanthropists.
Ms. Mai Thi Huyen (born in 1976), Mr. Hung's younger sister, said: "Every contribution to help my brother's family is very precious at this time. My family is very grateful and cherishes it.
Mr. Mai Thanh Tung - General Director of the program "Gratitude for Birth 2026" said that as soon as he learned about Mai Tien Sy's situation, the Organizing Committee visited and encouraged the family. "Sy's story is a case that moved us very much, because he is expressing his love for his father with very ordinary but respectable actions. The program "Gratitude for Birth" always wants to spread the value of family affection and filial piety like that".
All help for life situation LD26206 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
