Mother's will

Mr. Nguyen Van Tan (born in 1939), Ms. Mai’s husband, participated in the resistance war against the US, received the 4/4 class disabled soldier’s benefits, and was infected with Agent Orange. In 2002, her husband passed away, Ms. Mai became the family’s breadwinner, taking care of her 4 sons infected with Agent Orange.

Head of Vinh Hamlet, An Co Commune visited and gave gifts to Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai.

Ms. Mai said that when they were born, all four of her children were healthy, but when they were about three or four years old, they began to show unusual behavior. They spoke unclearly and often looked confused. Thinking that their children were slow to develop, the family worked hard to save money to take them to see a doctor and get treatment. However, all four children were infected with Agent Orange.

Because she could not control herself, Mrs. Mai took care of everything from personal hygiene, eating, bathing, laundry, etc. for her four children. Of Mrs. Mai’s four children, the two who suffered the most were Nguyen Van Ngan and Nguyen Thanh Phuoc. Many times Ngan broke things and ran around everywhere. Phuoc often had epileptic seizures, refused to eat, lay there in a daze, and did not speak.

Now 86 years old, Mrs. Mai has diabetes and high blood pressure, and has to rely on the help of her youngest daughter who lives nearby to take care of her children. “At this age, every time I lie down, I worry about my children’s future. That anxiety causes me to lose sleep and my spirit to collapse,” Mrs. Mai confided.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tuong - Chairman of the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Chau Thanh District, who also lives in the same hamlet as Mrs. Mai, said: “Mrs. Nguyen Thi Mai is old and has many illnesses. Her love and care for her children makes us admire her even more. For more than 20 years since her husband passed away, she has tried her best and devotedly every day to take good care of her children.”

Ms. Le Thi Nha Phuong, Head of Vinh Hamlet, An Co Commune, shared: “The good news is that Ms. Mai and her children receive monthly allowances. Local authorities, the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and kind-hearted people also regularly care, visit and give gifts to help the family ease some of their difficulties.”

In her old age, Mrs. Mai only wishes for good health so that she can have more time to take care of her children. That wish, to Mrs. Mai, is perhaps the most precious thing she can give to her children.

Ha Quang - Phuong Thao

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/nghi-luc-cua-nguoi-me-a190037.html