Nguyen Van Tu was paralysed in an accident in Danang City last December, his wife was killed weeks later in a crash while cycling to care for him in hospital, and now his two primary school aged children, Thien and Ngoc, are without support besides the small kindnesses of others. The future looks bleak.

Tu being cared for at Danang Hospital

Tu, 50, from Quang Nam Province, lives in a rented house in Hoang Minh Ward, Danang City, and until his road accident on December 3 that left him with a broken back and legs, worked as a motorbike driver and lottery seller, while his wife worked as a domestic helper. They earned a modest living and managed to keep their children in school, where they did well.

The driver who hit Tu paid VND10m compensation, which went to pay his medical bills. Relatives lent money to cover mounting costs.

Then, on January 22, Tu's wife of 14 years, Nguyen Thi Ly, was struck by a motorbike and killed while cycling to the hospital to care for him.

Tu's older sister, Nguyen Thi Thao, now visits the hospital, and the children have moved to a relative's house.

Nguyen Phuoc Thien is in grade sixth at Nguyen Binh Khiem Secondary School and the daughter, Nguyen Thi Bao Ngoc, is in fourth grade at Duy Tan Primary School.

Thien and Ngoc face uncertain future

“So far, Tu just knows that his wife had a serious accident as we don't want to tell him about her death for fear he could not stand such a big loss,” Thao said.

Dr Pham Tran Xuan Anh, from Danang Hospital, said Tu has undergone multiple surgery and is recovering, but will require ongoing medical care after he is discharged.

Phan Tan Loc, head of Group 12 from Hoa Minh Ward where Tu family lives, said, “Tu’s family is in desperate need of help. We can’t do much, but we raised VND6m to help support them when his wife died.”

If you want to help the family, donations should be sent through:

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