On October 31, Dantri/Dtinews Newspaper and local authorities in Bac Ninh City visited Nguyen Thi Thuy, 80, and her two-year-old grandson, Ngo Duy Hieu, at Bac Ninh Rehabilitation Hospital, presenting a symbolic board representing donations of VND 234,554,124 (USD 9,021).
The full amount, contributed by Dantri readers, has been transferred directly to Thuy's bank account.
Journalist Nguyen Xuan Toan, deputy editor-in-chief of Dantri, together with local leaders and medical staff at Bac Ninh Rehabilitation Hospital, presents the symbolic cheque of more than VND 234 million donated by readers to Thuy and Hieu (Photo: Trinh Le Ha Anh).
Hieu has spastic cerebral palsy. Approaching the age of three, he is still unable to sit up or speak independently, and his mobility and communication remain severely limited. To improve his condition, he needs early, regular and long-term rehabilitation, but the family cannot afford the necessary care.
According to Thuy, Hieu's mother, Ngo Thi Lien, 43, is her daughter and has had a mental illness since childhood. She frequently wanders away from home and was sexually assaulted, resulting in Hieu's birth. The identity of the child's father remains unknown. As a result, the responsibility for raising Hieu has fallen entirely on his 80-year-old grandmother.
The two depend solely on social welfare payments, leaving Thuy constantly worried about the costs of transport, medication and treatment for her grandson.
Journalist Nguyen Xuan Toan visits and encourages the grandmother and grandson (Photo: Trinh Le Ha Anh).
The donation of more than VND 234 million will ease the family's financial burden and help cover Hieu's care and treatment. For Thuy, the support is also a source of comfort and renewed hope as she continues caring for her grandson.
"At my age, I worry that one day I may become too weak to look after him. He is still so young and ill, and I do not know who he could rely on. I am grateful that people have shown us such kindness and given him more money for treatment. I only hope I remain strong enough to care for him and live to see him sit up, walk and call me 'Grandma'. I will always remember everyone's kindness," Thuy said emotionally.
Ngo Bien Cuong, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Bac Ninh City, thanked Dantri and its readers for supporting Thuy and Hieu.
He said the assistance would not only ease their daily difficulties but also provide valuable emotional encouragement.
"With the more than VND 234 million donated by Dantri readers, local authorities and relevant agencies will help Thuy develop an appropriate plan for managing and using the money, ensuring transparency and accountability and prioritising the long-term interests of both grandmother and grandson," Cuong said.
Nguyen Thi Thoi, director of Bac Ninh Rehabilitation Hospital, also expressed her appreciation for the support from Dantri, its readers, city leaders and relevant organisations.
She hoped the hospital would continue to receive support from local authorities and Dantri so that more patients in difficult circumstances could receive assistance.
