Everyday a man goes to work from the early morning until late evening, trying to earn enough to take care of his 80 year old mother and 3 mentally challenged sisters.
He is Nguyen Van Son at Hamlet 10, Nghi An Commune, Vinh City, Nghe An Province. He remained single into his 30's because nobody was brave enough to accept a man with such burdens. Fortunately, one day he found a girl who was willing to share with him despite the difficulties, however, challenges still lie ahead.
Nguyen Van Son and Nguyen Thi Thanh, one of his sisters
Son’s mother, Nguyen Thi Choi, is 80 years old. Her husband died early and she had to raise 7 children by herself. Her first 3 daughters got married and another 3 daughters suffer from mental illnesses from when they were small.
She did her best to earn and borrow money to help them but they did not get better. Now she has become old and Nguyen Van Son has to bare the burden.
There are only 2 old beds in his house for 6 people. His sisters never sleep on a bed. They often sleep on the floor or in the yard.
Phuong Thi Hau, Son’s wife, often tries to ask them to go home but they often sit in the garden and talk about things which nobody can understand.
Son’s father served in the army during American War and may have been affected by Agent Orange. They also benefit from a small allowance but it’s not enough to cover daily expenditures.
Nguyen Thi Huong smiles and talks incoherently
“I am one of his burdens but I will not live much longer. However, he will have to keep his three mental disabled sisters for the rest of his life,” Choi said through her tears, “He never complains about difficulties and never keeps us hungry.”
He struggles to take care of his family and without the help of caring neighbours Son and his wife would not be able to overcome the difficulties.
He has made a lot of effort and spent a lot of time to find his sisters who often wander away. He knows that it’s very difficult to treat them but he never gives up.
Unfortunately, last year he was forced to sell everything he had to raise money for his aging mother’s treatment. After his mother was discharged from the hospital, his wife had to be admitted as well due to miscarrige. “It’s likely that I will be unable to support everyone, and I wanted to give up but I cannot. I have my mother, my wife and sisters to worry about. They need me,” said Son.
As we leave Son’s house we can't help but wonder how his family will survive.
