The choked sobs of the four orphaned sisters.

(Dong Nai) - “I’m not angry that Mom left… I just feel sad. I want to stay in this dilapidated house to light incense for Dad. I’m used to hardship, I’m just worried that my younger siblings won’t have enough to eat or wear.” These heartbreaking words from La Ngoc Trinh (Ward 1, Chon Thanh Commune, Dong Nai Province) brought tears to the eyes of those who witnessed them.

At the age of 13, while her friends were still under the loving care of their parents, Ngoc Trinh was forced to become the "pillar of the family," taking care of and protecting her three younger siblings: La Thi Thi (11 years old, in 3rd grade) and the twins La Bao Khanh and La Bao Khang (7 years old, not yet attending school).

A young bird, lost from its nest, stands beside its father's portrait. Its innocent eyes await a miracle from compassionate hearts. Photo: Thu Hien

The poverty of the four Trinh sisters was already deeply ingrained in their lives. Their parents met while working as laborers and living in rented rooms, making it impossible for them to even obtain a marriage certificate to provide legal support for their children. One by one, the four children were born into a precarious situation, struggling to make ends meet, subsisting on their father's meager wages as a construction worker and their mother's meager income from selling goods on the street.

The tragedy began in 2020. The pandemic caused the father to lose his job, the cost of living became overwhelming, and conflicts between the parents became frequent. In that dire situation, the mother chose to leave, claiming she needed to find a livelihood in Ho Chi Minh City. But then, promises of returning became increasingly rare. One day, news arrived that the mother had found new happiness, that she had remarried, like salt in the wound of those left behind. At that time, Bảo Khanh and Bảo Khang were only three years old, too young to understand why their mother had chosen her own happiness over theirs.

For five long years, that father single-handedly struggled to feed four mouths in utter solitude. But human strength has its limits, and when despair reached its lowest point, hope faded. In December 2025, the father chose to give up everything, ending his own life in the very house where he and his children had once sought refuge.

“Our father passed away suddenly, our mother disappeared without a trace, never once returning to visit, leaving us four sisters orphaned, like young birds lost in the storms of life… Now we don’t know where to go, where to return to…” - Ngoc Trinh burst into tears in helplessness.

A meager meal, devoid of the presence of parents: Orphaned children fend for themselves, enduring hunger and thirst amidst a stormy life. Photo: Thu Hien

Out of pity for the orphaned children, like lost birds, their aunt, Tran Thi Ut Huynh, despite living 15km away, wanted to take them in and care for them. However, the four poor children resolutely refused to leave. They wanted to stay in the dilapidated house so they could light incense for their deceased relative every day. Ms. Huynh choked up, saying, "My heart aches because my own family is struggling to make ends meet, earning a living by selling goods from a cart in the dusty heat of a construction site. My only protection right now is to frugally share a little food so the children don't go hungry, but as for their future... I'm powerless to help."

The dilapidated, cold, and moss-covered house mirrored the fate of the four orphaned children. Photo: Thu Hien

At a crossroads in life, Trinh had to abandon her dream of going to school in the fifth grade. Too small to be hired, she had to accept working part-time at a nail salon while simultaneously learning a trade with a single burning desire: to quickly earn money to support her three younger siblings. Her small hands, once used to holding pens, are now drenched in sweat. Will they be strong enough to protect her siblings from the storms of life? Will those thin shoulders be able to bear the heavy burden of providing for four orphans?

The answer remains a vast, dark abyss of poverty and illiteracy engulfing these children. Without support from the community, Trinh's career dreams will remain unfulfilled, and the twins will never learn to read. Hopefully, loving hands will reach out in time to hold onto the future of these unfortunate young ones. Let's not allow the doors of their lives to close in darkness before dawn even begins.

All charitable contributions should be sent to Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio & Television.

Account number: 6550069226 - BIDV Bank, Dong Nai branch. Please specify in the transfer details: Donation for 4 orphaned children.

The networking and support program will take place at 9:30 AM on April 23, 2026, at the home of La Ngoc Trinh (Ward 1, Chon Thanh Commune, Dong Nai Province).

Thu Hien

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202604/tieng-khoc-nghen-cua-4-chi-em-mo-coi-3f70d0e/