Phan Cu, 51, and his wife Ho Thi Thao, 41, live with their three children in Ia Blang Commune, Chu Se District. The man, who is only over 1.40 metres high and weighs roughly 40 kilos, has struggled to support their ill children who are victims of Agent Orange.
According to Phan Cu, his first son Phan Trong Tien is 19 years old now but is only 1.3 metres tall and 27 kilos in weight.
"Tien is very weak and had to be hospitalised frequently due to broken bones," the father said. "But he tried a lot in his studies and is now a second-year university student."
The second son, Phan Trong Nguyen, 10, also suffers the same disease as his brother, although his condition is better.
"Nguyen has just undergone surgery to fix his broken leg," Cu said. "We've also had to spend lots of time and money taking him to hospital since he was born."
The father shared that now they are worried most for their youngest daughter who suffers even worse from the same diseases.
"Our daughter is three years old now but she's unable to sit up or walk," he said. "She's just lying in bed all day but also suffers broken bones frequently when she turns her body."
Cu's wife takes care of their small daughter
Cu said that he is now working as a construction worker and earns a modest income due to his weak health. Meanwhile, his wife spends most of the time taking care of their children. She's also doing some sewing work to earn some more money to buy food.
"Most of our money is spent on hospital fees and medicine for the children," he said. "But our modest income sometimes can’t cover hospital fees and we often have to borrow from other people."
Chairman of the Association for Agent Orange Victims of Chu Se District, Nguyen Xuan Thuy, said Phan Cu is one of the most difficult families in his area who really need help from the community.
"Our association, local authorities and neighbours have tried to help them cover some medical fees for the children and fix their deteriorating house," Thuy said. "But they need more help to support the ill children."
If you can help, send your donation to:
1. Code 4854: Phan Cu
Vinh Ha Village, Ia Blang Commune, Chu Se District, Gia Lai Province.
Tel: 0389844918
Bank account: 5004205231673 at Agribank, Chu Se Branch.
2. Dantri/DTiNews Online Newspaper
No. 2 Giang Vo Str., Dong Da Dist., Hanoi
Tel: 024. 3. 7366.491/ Fax: 024. 3. 7366.490
Email: nhanai@dantri.com.vn
* Vietnam Dong Account information at Vietcombank:
Account holder: Bao Dien tu Dan tri
Account number: 1017378606
With Bank: THE BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM – Thanh Cong Branch
* US Dollar Account information at Vietcombank:
Account holder: Bao Dien tu Dan tri
Account number: 1017780241
SWIFT Code: BFTV VNVX 045
With Bank: THE BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM
* EUR Account information at Vietcombank:
Account Name: Bao Dien tu Dan tri
Account Number: 1022601465
Swift Code: BFTV VNVX 045
Bank Name: BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM (Vietcombank)
* Vietnam Dong Account information at Vietinbank:
Account holder: Bao Dien tu Dan tri
Account number: 126000081304
With Bank: Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade – Hoan Kiem Branch
* Vietnam Dong Account information at BIDV
Account holder: Bao Dien tu Dan tri
Account number: 26110002631994
At: Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, Trang An Branch
Address: No. 11, Cua Bac Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi; Tel: 0436869656.
* Vietnam Dong Account information at MB Bank:
Account holder: Bao Dien tu Dan tri
Account number: 0231195149383
With Bank: MILITARY COMMERCIAL JOINT STOCK BANK - Thai Thinh Branch, Hanoi
* Vietnam Dong Account information at Agribank:
- Account holder: Bao Dien tu Dan tri
- Account number: 1400206035022
- At Agribank, Lang Ha Branch, Hanoi
* Vietnam Dong Account information at SHB:
- Account holder: Bao Dien tu Dan tri
- Account number: 1017589681
- At SHB, Hanoi branch
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