Lo Thi Chinh's new house.
Chinh’s husband, Lo Van Bun, died last year aged 42 after battling lung cancer for seven years. Even before his illness, he had been born mute and the family struggled financially. In addition to caring for their two young children, Chinh and Bun looked after his father, who suffered from mental illness. The five of them lived cramped in a 35-square-metre shack perched on a hillside. The roof was made of rotting fibro-cement; the walls patched with scrap wood and thin corrugated metal; the floor was just bare earth, slippery in the rain.
Chinh's old house.
When Bun died, Chinh was left not only with grief but also a large debt incurred during his medical treatment.
After a report on her plight was published in Dantri, readers began sending donations to her family.
With VND 97,960,124 in support from generous donors, and help from local officials and neighbours, Chinh has built a solid 55-square-metre home.
On the day she moved in, Chinh broke down in thanks: “I never dreamed in my life this could happen. Because of Dtinews and all the kind people, me and my children finally have a decent place to live, and my father-in-law’s suffering has lessened. I am so grateful to everyone.”
Chinh and her son at their new house.
La Van Thoan, vice-chair of Pu Nhung Commune’s People’s Committee, said emotionally: “This new house does more than ease Chinh’s hardship. It gives her hope to rebuild her life, and gives her children a chance to thrive. This is truly meaningful solidarity from Dantri and its readers.”