Phu YenRaising H'Ngoc Lan from the age of one, Mrs. H'Chap (72 years old) is facing the situation that she cannot work to take care of her grandchild due to a long-lasting leg pain.
On the first day of May, Ms. Vo Thi Nguyet Thu, principal of a kindergarten in Son Nguyen commune (Son Hoa district), as usual, still prepared a box of instant noodles and some food to bring to H'Ngoc Lan (5 years old) in Nguyen Xuan village. Hearing the teacher's voice, Lan and her grandmother ran out, happily received the gift and did not forget to thank her.
In 2019, when Lan was more than a year old, her parents had a conflict, so the two left each other. Lan's mother, because the family life at that time was too difficult, could not stand the pressure, so she left, still "no sound" until now. Her father was immersed in alcohol all day, so he couldn't take care of Lan. Loving you, Mrs. H'Muc took you home to raise her until now.
The house is about 17 m2 wide, where two grandchildren live. Image: Bui Toan
Despite her hard life and frequent illnesses, Ms. H'Chap still works weeds, cuts sugarcane to earn extra income, sometimes in poverty, she says "everyone asks her to do it". She said that on the days of working as a hired worker, one day she earns 20.000-30.000 VND, when people love her, they can also earn 50.000 VND. That money is enough for the two of them to buy some rice and eggs to eat through the meal.
Last year, her legs began to hurt, it was difficult to walk, she could not work as before, for a month she completely lived with the help of neighbors. Life is based on vegetables behind the house. Sometimes there are sponsors and volunteer units to support, so sometimes she also saves a little money every month, this money is for her granddaughter's education.
"She also tries to collect money so that little Lan can study to the right place, I don't know if I can take care of her until she becomes an adult," Madam Chua said worriedly. Up to now, local authorities have also created favorable conditions for Lan to attend preschool. Many teachers also assist in paying tuition fees, so that the child can go to school.
Mrs. H'Chap and baby H'Ngoc Lan. Image: Bui Toan
For many years, Mrs. Lan and her grandson have lived in a temporary house made of old wooden planks, more than 17 m2 wide, in many places rotting. Inside the house there is only a small kitchen that is poorly arranged. The most valuable items in her house must be a light bulb and iron bed that was given to her by a neighbor a few months ago. On rainy and windy days, the two of them often went to the neighbor's house to temporarily shelter because of the leak and many places that were badly damaged.
Since the day Mrs. H'Sure hurt her leg, she couldn't take him to school anymore. Baby Lan has to go to school thanks to the neighbor's car every day. She said fortunately that it is more than 5 km from home to school, so going to school is less difficult.
“Lan is considered by the teachers at school to be docile and obedient. Although I live with my grandmother, I have never cried for my parents, so I am very reassured," said Mrs. H'Chap.
Mr. Ma Nghia, Chairman of Nguyen Xuan village, Son Nguyen commune, said that the village is one of the difficult areas of the locality. In the village, there are 217 households, more than 50% of ethnic minorities, most of them are engaged in agriculture such as growing sugar cane and cassava.
“H'Mrs.'s family is probably one of the most difficult households in the village. Although she had children, she lived alone for a long time, her children could not ask for help. Now she is old and weak, unable to work much. Her only wish is for her granddaughter to have books to study in the future," Nghia said.
Bui Toan
