There are two elderly widows, who try not to be a burden on their own poor families, living alone in Thai Binh Province, in the same village, but age and disease are taking their toll and they fear they will live their last years in worse poverty than they have lived.
Nguyen Thi Hoi, who is 80, has heart disease and lives in Phu La Village.
Nguyen Thi Hoi suffers from heart disease
"My husband left for another woman when our daughter, Lien, was seven years old. Since my daughter got married, I have live here alone. People often ask why I did not live with her, but her situation is also very difficult. I'd rather live alone," Hoi said.
Hoi and her deteriorating house
Lien's husband has chronic kidney disease, and she had a car accident that left her with brain injuries. Hoi does not want to add to her daughter's own burdens.
"I'm old so I don't care if I have to die now," she said. "Living is hard. Each month, I'm given VND100,000 and 10kg of rice. I'm 80 this year, so I'll get something more from the government. But I'll probably spend it all on medicines. This heart is hurting me badly."
In the same village is widow Nguyen Thi Ngu. She is 95.
Nguyen Thi Ngu
Ngu has five children. The eldest daughter married far away and never returns home. Her two sons struggle to afford even a daily meal for the family. One daughter is mentally disturbed and Ngu's other daughter has refused to marry so she can care for her mother.
One of Ngu's daughter has mental illness
Dinh Trong Hai, one of Ngu's sons, said, "My mother has never complained. She said if we have rice, she'll eat rice, if we have porridge, she'll eat porridge and if there is nothing, she'll suffer through hunger with us. I try to work hard but sometimes, I can't even buy an orange or a cup of milk for her."
Ngu's simple house
Nguyen Van Chinh, chairman of Do Luong Commune People's Committee, said Hoi and Ngu are the most difficult cases in their commune.
Ngu gets VND180,000 each month, a special allowance for those aged over 80, which Hoi, too, will soon get.
"Even so, this small money can't help them much," said Chinh. "Our commune is poor so we can only visit to give them encouragement."
If you can help them, please donate through:
1. Code 1718:
Nguyen Thi Hoi (or Binh) from Hamlet 1, Phu La Village, Do Luong Commune, Dong Hung District, Thai Binh Province.
Nguyen Thi Ngu from Hamlet 2, Phu La Village, Do Luong Commune, Dong Hung District, Thai Binh Province.
Mobile number of Dinh Trong Hai, Ngu's son: 0366.577.884
2. Compassionate Hearts Charity Fund – Dan tri Newspaper (Hanoi).
No. 2/48 Giang Vo Str., Dong Da Dist., HanoiTel: 04. 3. 7366.491/ Fax: 04. 3. 7366.490. Email:quynhanai@dantri.com.vnEmail:
- Vietnam Dong Account information at Vietcombank:
Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri
Account number: 045 100 194 4487
With Bank: THE BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM – Thanh Cong Branch
- US Dollar Account information at Vietcombank:
Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri
Account number: 045 137 195 6482
SWIFT Code: BFTVVNVX
With Bank: THE BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM
- Vietnam Dong Account information at Vietinbank:
Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri
Account number: 10 201 0000 220 639
With Bank: Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade – Hoan Kiem Branch
- US Dollar Account information at MB Bank:
Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri
Account number: 0721100357002
SWIFT Code: MSCBVNVX
With Bank: MILITARY COMMERCIAL JOINT STOCK BANK - MCSB ( No.3, Lieu Giai str., Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam)
3. Dantri/DTiNews' representative offices
Ha Tinh representative office: 46 Nguyen Cong Tru, Tan Giang Ward, Ha Tinh City. Tel: 039.3857.112
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Ho Chi MinhCity representative office: 39L Street 11, Ward 3, Binh Thanh Dist, Hochiminh City. Tel: 08. 66786. 885
Can Tho representative office:53/13 Ly Tu Trong, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho City. Tel: 071.3.733.269
