Ms. Pham Thi Tam's spacious and sturdy house was built in accordance with Directive No. 22-CT/TU. Photo: HT
Relaxing and inviting guests for afternoon tea in his sturdy house built according to Directive No. 22-CT/TU, Mr. Vu Dinh Dai (62 years old) shared his thoughts about the difficult and arduous times he had gone through and his plans for the future.
Mr. Dai confided, "To put it simply, my life before was like the tragic fate of Ms. Dậu (a character from a Vietnamese folk tale), even my house was dilapidated and lacked any sense of security." Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that this man with a haggard appearance had struggled for 12 years with his wife, battling kidney dialysis treatments, barely surviving each day. Yet, fate continued to play cruel tricks. His meager income from year-round farming or odd jobs not only provided for his wife but also for his two grandchildren. Every parent wants their children to be a source of support in their old age, but Mr. Dai and his wife were denied that blessing; instead, they faced even more burdens. Thus, the two of them, along with their two young grandchildren, endured a weary and arduous existence in their makeshift house. Mr. Dai recounted, "Whenever it rained heavily, everything leaked and became a mess. Many nights during storms, I couldn't sleep, constantly worrying that the house would collapse."
Then he hugged his two grandchildren tightly, and said emotionally, "I have a new house, miss! I never dared to dream of it in my whole life." Looking at the man in front of them, everyone was moved and teary-eyed.
Mr. Dai's new house, spanning over 60 square meters, cost more than 150 million VND to build. Of this amount, Mr. Dai received 80 million VND in support under Directive No. 22-CT/TU. The remaining funds were contributed enthusiastically by relatives, neighbors, and villagers. Mr. Dai expressed: "I can only express my gratitude to the Party, the State, my family, and my neighbors for helping me achieve something so great, beyond my wildest imagination."
What's even more remarkable is that after many years of loneliness following the death of his wife, Mr. Dai found a woman who loved and understood his situation, and they moved in together. They came together with nothing but flaws in their souls, but this home will be their support and motivation to continuously strive and build a better life.
Compared to the time before receiving assistance to build a new house, Mr. Dai's life has changed significantly, with some of his difficulties easing. His new home now has more necessities for daily life. Mr. Dai no longer drowns his sorrows in alcohol but works diligently; his voice and laughter are more vibrant. Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhung (58 years old) shared: "Since deciding to live together, we often encourage each other to live positively and diligently, believing that one day things will get better."
Now, Mr. Dai and Mrs. Nhung possess a valuable asset: a house built with the care of the Party and the State, and the kindness of relatives and neighbors. "Men build houses, women build homes," she said. "I am a stranger who came here, and he gave me a roof over my head; I will strive to give him a home in return," she affirmed sincerely, as if pouring from the heart, the woman who has found happiness in her twilight years.
As for Mrs. Pham Thi Tam, at the age of seventy, she is finally able to enjoy the joy of living in a spacious and sturdy house. She was a former member of the Youth Volunteer Force, while her husband stayed at home farming, and their family faced many hardships. The couple lived in a dilapidated, single-story house built in the 2000s.
Mrs. Tam said, "My husband and I always look to each other for support. Even when facing difficulties and material shortages, we remain harmonious and united in overcoming them." But the greatest sorrow they cannot overcome is their inability to have children. "No matter how much love a couple has, without children, it's like a flower without color or fragrance," Mrs. Tam confided.
Who knows how many sleepless nights Mrs. Tam spent agonizing over her fate, how many tears she shed thinking about it? How much generosity, selflessness, and sacrifice did that woman possess to make the most momentous and significant decision of her life? She proactively suggested a separation so her husband could marry someone else. At the age of 30, Mrs. Tam personally carried the betel nut tray to ask for a new wife for the man she had shared her life with for so many years. No one asked her what she was thinking in that situation, but anyone who heard her story could sense the deep sorrow and humiliation that this small woman had buried in her heart.
Mrs. Tam's husband married his current wife and they have three children together. Mrs. Tam watched over her husband's happiness, finding joy in it. Perhaps it was her kindness that earned the admiration and respect of both her husband and his current wife. From the time Mrs. Tam began building her house, despite their limited resources, her husband provided material support, occasionally visiting and helping with tasks. Mrs. Tam's house, approximately 42 square meters, began construction in June 2024 and was completed in just over a month. On the housewarming day, she prepared several meals to express her gratitude, and her husband also brought his wife to celebrate. Although she lives alone, she is not lonely; her spacious house will forever be a witness to her fairytale-like story in everyday life.
The widespread impact of Directive No. 22-CT/TU has created profound humanistic values. Perhaps these values have spread, touching the hearts of every person, awakening a sense of "compatriotic solidarity" that is both familiar and intimate, yet also great and noble. The stories in Dong Tien commune are just a few of the many "fairy tales" that are and will continue to unfold on the land of Thanh Hoa province.
Thuy Duong - Huong Thao
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/co-tich-giua-doi-thuong-255245.htm
