Desire to preserve life for children and grandchildren

(DN) - In life, the happiest thing for every family is to have a peaceful home, healthy children and grandchildren, gathered together. However, for the family of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Dung (55 years old, in group 7, Soc Trao A hamlet, Tan Quan commune, Dong Nai province), that simple dream has become too far away. For more than 30 years, her life has been nothing but a series of hard days, her husband died early, now her son and grandson both have serious illnesses.

Life is full of hardships

Mrs. Dung was born in the old Ha Tay. At the age of 14, she followed her parents to the new economic zone in Hon Quan to work for a living. At the age of 19, she got married and gave birth to three sons. Her life was spent all year round in the garden, working for hire, saving every penny to raise her children.

The poverty had not yet passed when disaster struck. In 2009, Mrs. Dung's husband passed away just a few months after being diagnosed with late-stage diabetes. "At only 39 years old, I was forced to shoulder the role of both father and mother, and was burdened with the debt of my husband's medical treatment. There were times when I thought I could not stand still, but then I looked at my three young children, I had to swallow my tears and tell myself not to fall," Mrs. Dung recalled.

Quynh Nhu takes care of her father. Photo: Thu Hien

In 2011, her first son, Nguyen Tat Hung, got married. A year later, Hung's twin girls, Nguyen Thi Quynh Nhu and Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh, were born. The joy was not yet complete when the family fell into misfortune: Quynh Nhu had a congenital heart disease and had to undergo surgery when she was only 14 months old.

The pressure of making a living and illness caused Mr. Hung and his wife to break up. Fearing that the children would suffer if his mother remarried, Mr. Hung asked to raise both children. Feeling sorry for her orphaned children and helpless grandchildren, Mrs. Dung did not hesitate to open her arms to welcome her son and two grandchildren home. Working hard, saving up and borrowing 40 million VND from the bank, in 2013, Mrs. Dung was able to build a small house, so that mother and child, grandmother and grandchildren could have a peaceful place to rely on.

When love is not enough to protect against illness

Tragedy struck the family once again, in 2020, Mr. Hung was diagnosed with diabetes. Due to lack of money for medical treatment and regular medication, the disease became more and more severe, causing pain all over his body and now he has completely lost the ability to work.

“After long nights of struggling with the disease, I was helpless. What bothered me the most were the worries on my old mother’s shoulders and the future of my two children,” Mr. Hung emotionally shared.

Misfortunes never come singly. In February 2025, Quynh Nhu fell and broke her leg. She was taken to the doctor and was diagnosed with a femoral tumor. The disease needed to be treated early, otherwise it would endanger her life and her future education.

“What I fear most is the sight of the white-haired having to see off the young. I just hope for a miracle so that my children and grandchildren can be cured and have the chance to live and go to school like other children their age,” Ms. Dung said, choking back tears.

Mrs. Dung still works hard every day to support her family. Photo: Thu Hien

Nhu Quynh takes care of housework and helps her relatives. Photo: Thu Hien

In a simple house, the image of three generations struggling with poverty and illness makes anyone witness it cry.

“Mrs. Nguyen Thi Dung’s family is in a particularly difficult situation. She is a devoted mother and grandmother, who has worked hard all her life, but is now exhausted. The local government has mobilized initial support, but to treat Mr. Hung and Quynh Nhu, we need greater cooperation from the community,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh, Head of the Red Cross Association of Soc Trao A hamlet.

All contributions please send to the program "Aspiration to live", Publicity and Documentation Department, Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio and Television. Or editor Thu Hien, phone number/Zalo: 0911.21.21.26.

+ Receiving account: 197073599999 - Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Vietinbank . Please clearly state in the transfer content: Support for Ms. Nguyen Thi Dung's family.

The connection and support program is expected to be organized by the "Aspiration to Live" program at 9:30 a.m. on September 24, 2025, at the boarding house of Ms. Nguyen Thi Dung's family (Soc Trao A hamlet, Tan Quan commune, Dong Nai province).

A heart given at this time will become a spiritual medicine, a chance to live for Mr. Hung, for Quynh Nhu, and also a life buoy for Mrs. Dung to have more strength to continue supporting the family, overcoming illness.

Thu Hien

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/tin-moi/202509/khat-vong-niu-giu-su-song-cho-con-va-chau-1fb0b80/