A poor family in Hanoi is in desperate need of help as all the members have fallen ill.
Phung Thi Nga, of Nuong Tu Village, Ba Vi District, said they now only have kohlrabi to eat. "Everything crashed down so hard and fast that it seems unreal. I still think sometimes that it all just a bad dream," she said.
In 2010, Nga went to see doctor after feeling pain in her chest. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. Diagnosis depressed her but Nga was determined to keep it a secret from her family because she knew that with their financial situation they would not be able to afford treatment. She also wanted the children to continue school.
Nga has breast cancer for four years
But her secret was eventually discovered and she was forced to go to the hospital. Nga said it pained her to see the children suffer from poverty. But more misfortune was to follow.
In 2011, her son Phung Nghia Thang, was taken to 108 Hospital for a knee infection. The infection caused joint stiffness so Thang will not be able to do difficult physical labour anymore.
Thang is unable to do difficult physical labour
The next year, Nga's first child, Phung Nghia Chuc, was found to have a tumour in the right side of the throat and went through surgery at Vietnam-Cuba Hospital. But Chuc's situation only got worse later when he was in an accident at his part-time job. After putting two air tubes inside his ears, doctors said Chuc should go to hospital regularly, he has never been able to follow these instruction because of lack of money.
During this time, Nga's husband, Phong, was the pillar of the family, but soon he also felt ill. Nga said, "Last year, he got tetanus and was treated at the National Hospital of Tropical Disease. His body was stiff and he had seizure. We thought we might lose him but thank goodness, he eventually woke up."
Phong's health is weak
Four years of going back and forth between hospitals has worn down the woman. Nga said the most painful thing is not her breast cancer but watching her family suffer. "A few days ago, I could still sell three kohlrabi for VND 1,000 which would buy a bit of tofu for our meal. But now we do not have any rice, so our meals consist only of kohlrabi," she said.
Their meals consist only of kohlrabi
After learning about Nga and her family's situation, Viet Capital Bank donated a quick VND2.5 million (USD120) to help the family overcome their most immediate difficulties.
If you can help them, please make donation through:
1. Code 1326: Phung Thi Nga in Nuong Tu Village, Phu Son Commune, Ba Vi District, Hanoi.
Tel: 0167.625.9693
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.vn
* 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
Da Nang representative office: 25 Nguyen TriPhuong, Thanh Khe Dist., Da Nang City. Tel: 0511.3653.725
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