At the groundbreaking ceremony for Le Minh Em's family on August 12.
Minh Em, 43, and his wife Nguyen Thi Thoa, 40, have three children aged 13, 9, and 4. Thoa suffers from epilepsy, experiencing frequent seizures and memory loss, which prevents her from working. She stays at home to take care of the household.
Minh Em can only do manual labour, earning about VND 250,000 (approximately USD 9.8) per day, barely enough to buy food. For years, the family has been living in a rundown house lent by his younger brother, with no money for repairs.
The family is among 20 households supported by Dantri/Dtinews readers with VND 60 million (approximately USD 2,350) each to build new houses, marking Dantri’s 20th anniversary.
Minh Em receives the donations of VND 60 million
At the ceremony, Pham Van Nghiep, vice chairman of Binh Trung Commune People’s Committee, thanked Dantri/Dtinews readers for their contributions and hoped the newspaper would continue serving as a bridge to help disadvantaged people not only in the commune but also in other localities.
Throughout the event, Minh Em repeatedly expressed his gratitude and joy at the prospect of having a solid home, free from leaking roofs and wind drafts.
“I work as a construction worker to support my sick wife and three young children. We live frugally year-round but still have nothing left over. For years, our family stayed in my younger brother’s house. We couldn’t afford repairs, so the tin walls became rusted. Every time it rained heavily, water poured in, soaking everything. Without Dantri’s help, I don’t know when we could have had a decent home,” Minh Em said emotionally.
Minh Em, his wife and their three children at their old house.
The planned house will cover 50 square metres and is expected to be completed within about one month.
