The small, dilapidated house in Hamlet 7, Gio Linh Commune, with only a few basic belongings inside, is where Vu's family has lived for many years. Due to old age, frail health, and frequent illnesses, Mr. Tran Dinh Thu (83 years old) and Mrs. Tran Thi Loan (78 years old), Vu's grandparents, have never had a peaceful, happy family life. Vu once had a happy family with his mother and sisters.
However, happiness was short-lived when my parents separated, and my second oldest sister and I went to live with our grandparents, following our father.
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| Despite their old age and illnesses, the grandparents still try their best to ensure that Tran Dinh Vu can continue attending school - Photo: TN |
Vu's father suffers from mental illness and is unable to work. Whenever he has an episode, he destroys the house and beats Vu and his grandparents. After living together for a while, Vu's father left and has not contacted them since. Vu's older sister is currently studying in Hue . Understanding the family's situation, she works part-time while studying to cover living expenses and lessen the burden on their grandparents. Whenever she has time off, she returns home to help with housework, care for their grandparents, and encourage her younger brother to continue his studies.
At home, the burden of life falls on the weary shoulders of the two elderly people. They are no longer able to work, and the family's main source of income relies solely on the meager government allowance for the elderly. This money must be carefully managed to cover daily meals, utilities, and medication for their ailments in old age.
Sitting on an old wooden bed in the corner of the house, Mrs. Loan slowly recounted her family's life with a worried look in her eyes: "Now, no one in the family earns money anymore. The two of us rely solely on the monthly allowance. Even providing meals is difficult, and with old age and frequent illnesses, there are many expenses. Sometimes, thinking about my grandchildren's education makes me feel so sorry for them."
The difficulties piled up when, not long ago, Mr. Thu had an accident that made it difficult for him to walk, confining him to the house. Mrs. Loan also frequently suffered from leg pain, and her health deteriorated noticeably. As a result, most of the heavy household chores fell to Vu to help out.
Lacking parental love and facing many hardships in life, Vu's educational path was fraught with obstacles. Due to his family circumstances, he started school two years later than his peers. However, what is admirable is that despite these disadvantages, Vu always strived to maintain his studies. At school, he attended classes diligently, participated fully in school activities, and was always polite and friendly with everyone.
To his teachers and classmates, Vu is a gentle, quiet but very hardworking student. Sharing in his difficulties, Ms. Hoang Thi Khanh, the homeroom teacher of class 8A, confided: "Knowing his circumstances, the school has done everything possible to support him, completely waiving tuition and other fees. At the beginning of the school year, the school appealed for support from benefactors to fund the purchase of clothes and books for Vu, hoping to help his family and enable him to continue attending school."
Outside of school hours, Vu often helps out at home with household chores such as sweeping, cooking, and taking care of his grandparents when they are sick. These tasks may seem simple, but for a student of school age, they are responsibilities that help him mature earlier than his peers.
When Vũ mentioned his grandparents, his voice softened: "Seeing them, even though they're old, still having to worry about me, I feel so sorry for them. Sometimes I just wish I could study harder, grow up faster, and get a job to earn money to help them."
In their small house, the grandparents' greatest worry wasn't their own old age or illness, but the uncertain future of their grandson. Therefore, at an age when they should be resting and enjoying time with their children and grandchildren, they still had to struggle to provide for their grandson's meals and education, hoping only that Vu could continue his schooling.
Despite the hardships of life, the young student's eyes still gleam with hope—the hope of continuing his studies, growing up, and one day being able to change his family's life for the better. However, for that simple dream to become a reality, Vu still faces many difficulties. The care and support of the community will be a great source of encouragement, giving the young student more motivation to persevere on his journey to school and nurture his unfulfilled dreams.
All support for the family of Tran Dinh Vu should be sent to:
Quang Tri Newspaper and Radio & Television, Tran Quang Khai Street, Dong Hoi Ward. Account number: 0311 0088 99988 - Vietcombank Quang Binh Branch. Or send directly to: Tran Dinh Vu, Village 7, Gio Linh Commune, Quang Tri Province.
Thuy Nhan
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202604/chong-chenh-tuoi-tho-cua-cau-hoc-tro-tran-dinh-vu-24965d0/
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