A child homemaker

11 year old Nguyen Van Nang is a brave and dutiful boy who has looked after his grandmother for nearly one year since his parents aren't around to help.

“Can you give me some water please?” said Nang’s grandmother. The little boy ran and fetched a glass for his grandmother.

No matter how hard it is, I want to make money for my grandmother’s leg treatment

Nang has never known his father’s face. His mother died from serious illness when he was just 2. Since that day, he has been living with his elderly, weak and poor grandmother.

He has to take care of himself and his grandmother. He does all the housework for the family.

One year ago, his grandmother fell down and her leg was broken. They were too poor to go to a hospital, so her broken leg went untreated and the elderly grandmother was forced to stay in bed. “It’s hard for my little grandson. He is my only relative but I cannot take care of him. He is very nice, responsible and diligent,” said Nang’s grandmother.

It might be said that Nang has become a “homemaker” and his childhood is certainly not as easy as other children because he has to take care of his family.

He has to wake up early in the morning to take care of his grandmother then run as quickly as he can to school, otherwise, he will be late. After school, he has to prepare meals. “After cooking, I have to clean up my grandmother’s bed because she releases herself where she is staying.” said Nang.

They live on an allowance of only VND120 thousand ($6.4) per month. With such small income, Nang does not have enough money to buy books or school bags.

Nang was forced to grow up from a young age, he is a natural caretaker. He does not have money to go to the hospital when he gets sick. “My flu will go away by itself. I am used to this.”

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