An 82-year-old woman and her disabled son have moved into a safe, permanent home in Lang Son Province after receiving financial support from Dantri readers and local authorities.
Ly Thi Ky, 82, and her youngest son, Nong Van Tinh, 40, both from the Nung ethnic minority, live in Pa Ha Village, Tri Le Commune, Lang Son Province.
A year ago, Dantri published a report highlighting the family's hardship. At the time, the elderly mother, bent with age, was caring for her disabled son in a dilapidated stilt house with few basic necessities.
Six years earlier, Tinh developed liver disease, which led to severe swelling of his face and limbs, as well as knee inflammation. Unable to afford proper medical treatment, his condition gradually worsened until he lost the ability to walk.
Watching her son struggle with illness every day, Ky feared most what would happen to him after her death and who would be left to care for him.
The family's stilt house, built more than 30 years ago, had fallen into serious disrepair. Ky lived in constant fear that it could collapse at any time, leaving the pair without shelter.
Her greatest wish was simply to have enough food and a sturdy home that could protect them from the elements.
Following publication of the story, readers and philanthropists donated funds to help the family build a new house.
Tinh's health has since improved and he is now able to walk with the aid of a stick. Ky, however, has become weaker after suffering a stroke and now relies on others for daily care.
The roles within the family have gradually reversed. Having once been cared for by his mother, Tinh now prepares meals and looks after both of them. Nong Thi Em, Ky's daughter, and her husband, who live nearby, regularly visit to help care for the elderly woman.
Speaking to Dantri, Em said readers had donated VND 101 million (USD 3,855), while local authorities contributed VND 70 million (USD 2,672). The combined support enabled the family to build a permanent home where Ky and Tinh can live safely and with greater stability.
The new house, covering about 50 square metres, together with a 25-square-metre kitchen, was completed after three months of construction. The total construction cost exceeded VND 140 million (USD 5,344).
In addition to building the house and purchasing essential household items, the family used part of the donations to pay for medical treatment for both Ky and Tinh.
Tran Van Tan, deputy head of the Culture and Social Affairs Division of Tri Le Commune, thanked Dantri readers and benefactors on behalf of the local authorities for helping disadvantaged families secure safe and durable homes, allowing them to rebuild their lives with greater security.
