The parents of eight-year old Luu Thi Hang, from the central province of Thanh Hoa, must keep their daughter at home, attached to a chain to ensure her safety when they are working.
Hang’s life is attached with the chain for years
Hang lives with her family in Hamlet 11, Can Khe Commune in Nhu Thanh District. Her mother, Quach Thi Thuy, said she has to repress her feelings as she chains her daughter to a pole each day, but that it is her only option to ensure her safety.
Hang showed signs of abnormalities from her birth in 2006. She was hospitalised when just a few months old. Later she experienced seizures that made her turn purple. Doctors did not have an optimistic prognosis, but her physical health gradually improved.
Two teeth started to grow on her chin, later growing through her lips, earning her the name the ghoul among peers and neighbours. Hang is constantly ill and shows many signs of a mental illness that has apparently not been diagnosed.
While her twin brother is studying in the 2nd grade, Hang's behaviour is too erratic for her to attend school.
“One day, when I was doing the gardening, I saw she was eating a small chicken. I had to chain her to the house pole,” the mother said. Hang had many such incidents before her parents resorted to bounding her some of which could have been life threatening.
Her parents recently had her extra teeth removed, but the more pressing mental problems remain.
Their aging house
In order to get money to pay for Huyen’s treatment, her parents put up their house for sale, but have had no offers yet.
The four-member family is heavily dependent on the father for income. Luu Huy Dung works as a hired worker in Hanoi, as their farm does not provide for daily needs. All their earnings are not enough to cover Hang's medical treatment, and their debts mount.
The father seeking a job in Hanoi to support his family
“Our biggest dream is that our daughter will get better, so we’ll have a peaceful life,” the mother said.
In order to support the family, donations should be sent through:
1. Code 1333: Luu Huy Dung, Hangs father, Hamlet 11, Can Khe Commune, Nhu Thanh District, Thanh Hoa Province
Mobile: 01632.623.091
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