In his new home in Pu Sua Village, Muong Ang Commune, Dien Bien Province, Ho A Vu, 26, smiled as he welcomed visitors. After years in a fragile bamboo hut, the new house is a major source of joy for the disabled man.
The joy of Vu and his wife as they settle into their charity house with peace of mind (Photo: Tung Duong).
Vu has been paralysed in both legs since childhood. For more than 20 years, he has had to move around using his hands and knees. Orphaned and unable to attend school, he grew up relying on the support of relatives.
As an adult, he married Mua Thi Vi, 32. The family has largely depended on Vu's social welfare allowance and the small income Vi earns from casual work.
In 2022, a relative lent the couple a small plot of land on which to build a home. But what they called a house was little more than a bamboo shelter with a corrugated fibre-cement roof. Rainwater leaked through the roof, while cold winds blew through the walls in winter.
The couple had three children, all of whom died young.
The bamboo shack where Vu and his wife previously lived (Photo: Tung Duong).
After Dantri published a story about the family's circumstances, readers and benefactors donated VND 169.5 million (USD 6,500). The Thien Tam Fund contributed a further VND 20 million (USD 770), bringing total support to more than VND 189 million (USD 7,270).
Using the donations, the family built a new home and put part of the money into savings to cover medical expenses and other emergencies.
Local officials from Muong Ang Commune and residents of Pu Sua Village also helped build the house.
The couple's charity house was built thanks to contributions from Dantri readers (Photo: Tung Duong).
Moving into the new home has made everyday life much easier for Vu, who has limited mobility.
Doan The Quynh, chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Muong Ang Commune, said Vu's family had received support from Dantri, its readers, benefactors, local authorities and residents.
Representatives of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Muong Ang Commune visit and congratulate Vu's family as they moved into their new home (Photo: Tung Duong).
On behalf of the local Party committee, authorities and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, Quynh thanked Dantri, its readers and benefactors for supporting the commune's programme to replace temporary homes and helping disadvantaged families such as Vu's achieve greater stability.