The family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh (born in 1955), residing in Block 11, Ky Lua Ward, is one such case. Her husband, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dinh (born in 1954), and their two daughters, Nguyen Thi Lan Anh (born in 1983) and Nguyen Thi Sao Mai (born in 1991), are all victims of Agent Orange. Lan Anh suffers from intellectual disability and epilepsy, requiring constant care from family members for all personal activities, while Sao Mai was born with only one kidney and has poor health.
For many years, all the burdens have fallen on the mother's shoulders, while the main source of income is Mr. Dinh's pension and the allowances for the father and his two children. Furthermore, Mrs. Binh suffers from meningioma; although she has undergone surgery, she cannot continue treatment according to the prescribed regimen due to limited finances . Mrs. Binh shared: "There are times when I am exhausted by the torment of illness, but looking at my children, I cannot bear to give up. As long as I have the strength, I will try my best to take care of them, hoping to alleviate some of their hardships. Over the years, the family has always received the care and encouragement of the local Party committee, government, and various organizations. Although they cannot alleviate all the difficulties, this is a valuable source of encouragement that gives us more faith and helps us continue to persevere through the lingering effects of war."
Another poignant situation is that of Mrs. La Thi Thang (born in 1956), from Po Muc village, Loc Binh commune. Her husband, Mr. Chu Van Su (born in 1953), enlisted in the army in 1971 and returned to his hometown in 1975. Three children were born, but Mr. Su himself and their third child, Mr. Chu Van Hop (born in 1983), suffer from the effects of Agent Orange. Mr. Hop has intellectual disabilities, is deaf and mute, and requires constant care for all his daily activities. In her small house, this 70-year-old woman quietly manages the household, caring for her husband and children while struggling to make ends meet with only a few acres of crops and a meager government allowance. Recalling the past years, her voice softens: "There were times when I felt tired and disheartened, but I thought that as long as I could still stand strong, I had to bear the burden and take care of my husband and children." My child has been disadvantaged since birth, and if I give up, there's no one to rely on. So, I'll do my best as long as I have the strength, hoping to alleviate some of my child's suffering.
Mrs. Binh and Mrs. Thang are just two of hundreds of wives and mothers who silently shoulder the responsibility of caring for their husbands and children affected by Agent Orange. According to statistics, the province currently has over 400 women whose husbands and children are victims of Agent Orange. Years ago, they were the strong support system, seeing their husbands off to war, silently nurturing their families so the soldiers could focus on the battlefield. When the war ended, the soldiers returned carrying the aftereffects of illness and Agent Orange exposure, and these women continued to be the pillar of support, diligently caring for their husbands and children throughout their long and arduous journey. Each woman has her own circumstances and sorrows, but all share a common silent sacrifice and immeasurable love.
Ms. Vu Thi Quyen, Vice President of the Provincial Red Cross Society, stated: Showing gratitude and care for wives and mothers whose husbands and children have been affected by Agent Orange is always considered a regular task with profound humanitarian significance. Every year, during holidays and especially on Agent Orange Disaster Day (August 10th), the society organizes activities such as meetings, visits, and the presentation of practical gifts, not only to provide material support but also to convey sharing and encouragement to these families. Notably, from 2016 to the present, the society has coordinated the awarding of certificates of merit to over 200 exemplary wives and mothers in caring for Agent Orange victims. This acknowledges the silent sacrifices of these women and mothers and provides them with further motivation to be stronger in their journey of caring for and supporting their loved ones, contributing to alleviating some of the pain caused by Agent Orange that still exists in life today.
It is evident that behind the lives of those suffering from the effects of Agent Orange are the quiet figures of mothers. They are not only a source of support, but also a solid foundation, helping their "special" children overcome feelings of inferiority and uncertainty to continue living in normal life. That journey is never easy. Therefore, behind the resilience of these mothers, the collective support and sharing of the community and society as a whole are essential so that they can have more faith, continue to be a strong support for their families, and help their loved ones get through the days of suffering from Agent Orange.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/lang-tham-ben-noi-dau-da-cam-5090663.html
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