Hoang Thi Y, a resident of Khanh Khe Commune, Lang Son Province, recently settled into a newly built house funded through contributions from Dantri readers and charitable donors across Vietnam.
Representatives of the local authorities and a Dantri reporter visit Hoang Thi Y (Photo: Dinh Tung).
Y was born visually impaired and has a physical disability that severely limits her mobility. She never married. In her younger years, she lived with her parents and an older brother who also has a disability. After their father died in 1982 and their mother passed away in 1999, the two siblings relied on each other for support.
Years later, her brother moved to the city, leaving Y to live alone in an ageing house. The dwelling, measuring less than 30 square metres, had a fibro-cement roof and had fallen into serious disrepair after decades of use.
Hoang Thi Y's home before and after (Photos: Thuy Huong and Dinh Tung).
The blind woman spent years living in poverty. Unable to work, she depended entirely on a monthly disability allowance of VND 1 million (approximately USD 38) to cover her living expenses.
Concerned for her wellbeing, her brother's family repeatedly offered to bring her to the city so they could care for her more easily. However, Y declined, saying she did not want to become a burden on her nieces and nephews.
After Dantri/Dtinews published an article about her circumstances a year ago, readers and benefactors donated more than VND 88 million (approximately USD 3,370).
According to her family, in addition to the donations raised through Dantri, a business contributed a further VND 70 million (approximately USD 2,680) through the provincial Red Cross Society.
The combined funding enabled the family to build a solid new house measuring more than 50 square metres at a total cost of over VND 150 million (approximately USD 5,740), providing Y with a safe and comfortable place to spend her later years.
Hoang Thi Y in her new home, built with financial support from Dantri readers and benefactors (Photo: Dinh Tung).
Her relatives also purchased a bed, mattress, tables, chairs and other household necessities for the new home.
Y said she felt deeply grateful and happy to be living in a house made possible by the generosity of Dantri readers and donors nationwide.
The joyful smile of the blind elderly woman (Photo: Dinh Tung).
On behalf of local authorities, Phuong Phi Diep, chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Khanh Khe Commune, expressed sincere appreciation to Dantri, its readers and benefactors for helping Y obtain a clean, spacious and durable new home.
