Tuyen, right, receives donations from Dantri readers alongside local officials (Photo: Huong Hong).
Trieu Thi Tuyen has shared her joy as her new house nears completion, funded largely through donations from readers of Dantri Newspaper. She also said her son's health has improved significantly.
Just a few months ago, the 47-year-old single mother was living with her son in a dilapidated wooden house with a deteriorating palm-leaf roof.
At the time, her son, Trieu Van Tuan, born in 2007, was still unable to walk normally after falling from scaffolding in late 2025. The accident left him with multiple injuries, including a fractured right femur that required surgery.
After nearly six months of treatment, Tuan remained weak and depended heavily on his mother for daily activities. Meanwhile, Tuyen had borrowed money to cover his medical expenses and surgery costs.
Tuyen herself suffered severe burns in a gas fire accident while working as a kitchen assistant in 2000. With declining health, she has been unable to perform heavy labour and survives on occasional work such as weeding tea gardens, washing dishes and cleaning houses.
With no stable income and forced to stop working to care for her son, the Dao ethnic woman struggled to afford even basic food supplies.
After Dantri published the family's story, readers donated VND 208.9 million (USD 8,000). The Thien Tam Foundation contributed an additional VND 20 million (USD 765), bringing total support to VND 228.9 million (USD 8,765).
Part of the money was used for Tuan's rehabilitation and ongoing treatment. Thanks to regular therapy, his condition has steadily improved. He can now move more independently and manage some personal tasks without relying entirely on his mother.
After setting aside funds for medical care, Tuyen used the remaining money to help finance the construction of a new house. With additional support from local authorities, neighbours and benefactors, the family's new home is gradually taking shape.
Standing in front of the nearly completed house, Tuyen said she had once hoped only to repair the roof so her son could have a dry place to rest.
"I sincerely thank Dantri, its readers, benefactors, local authorities and everyone who helped us," she said. "Because of this support, I was able to continue my son's rehabilitation. Tuan is healthier now, and we will soon have a new home."
With support from Dantri readers, benefactors, local authorities and neighbours, Tuyen has been able to build a new home (Photo: Huong Hong).
Hoang Thi Nguyet Nga, Vice Chairwoman of the Women's Union and Chairwoman of the Red Cross Society in Thuong Long Commune, said Tuyen had been a poor single mother with health problems for many years. After her son's accident, the family had little chance of overcoming its difficulties without outside help.
"On behalf of the local community, I would like to express our gratitude to Dantri, its readers and all benefactors," Nga said. "Their support has not only enabled Tuan to continue rehabilitation treatment but has also provided the family with a safe and permanent home."