Heartbreaking situation of 3 orphaned children, both going to school and selling lottery tickets

(NLDO) – After school at 4 p.m., Bao Anh (8 years old) and An Nhien (6 years old) rest and play with their youngest sibling for a bit. At 5 p.m., the two sisters put on their bags and go sell lottery tickets to make a living.

Since their mother passed away, Bao Anh and An Nhien have gradually become the older sisters in the family, taking care of their youngest sister Tieu Vy, who is only 3 years old.

Sisters Bao Anh and An Nhien go selling lottery tickets in the afternoon.

Go to school in the morning, sell lottery tickets in the afternoon

Every day, as soon as the sun sets, Bao Anh and An Nhien take out lottery tickets to sell around the neighborhood. Some days the two sisters go out to sell separately, other days they put their arms around each other’s shoulders and go out together, laughing and talking loudly throughout the neighborhood.

Their father left them and their mother died in a traffic accident a few months ago. The three orphans live with their two aunts in a small house of only 15 ^square meters in Ba Diem commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

Looking at the children sharing the mooncakes they had just received, Ms. Nguyen Thi My Phuong (aunt) sadly said: "There are 8 children in the house (my child, Nhan's child and T.'s child). The family has many siblings and many children, so to earn money, T. had to go to work far away. However, after only about a week of being gone, he had a traffic accident and passed away."

Bao Anh took advantage of an early dinner to go sell lottery tickets.

The small house of only about 15 square meters is currently home to 3 families.

Ms. Phuong earns her living by selling lottery tickets, Ms. Nhan and her husband sell fruit on the sidewalk. Thus, the poor family helps each other. The sensible children also try to earn extra money to share the family burden.

Every day, before going out to sell, Bao Anh lights incense for her mother, asking her to sell all the lottery tickets quickly. The two sisters go out to sell for about 1-2 hours, and then come home in the evening to review their lessons together.

"Although they are the same age as my children, all three nieces are very understanding and well-behaved. Despite many difficulties, Nhan and I did not let any of our nieces drop out of school. Only education can help our children escape poverty," Ms. Phuong confided.

Suffering but not discouraged

Although she is only in 3rd grade, Bao Anh acts like a big sister. If she has delicious cakes, she lets her younger siblings eat first. Bao Anh often sells lottery tickets at snail shops and milk tea shops near her house. Each time, she only dares to hold about 20 lottery tickets. She sells them all before going home to get more. Bao Anh knows how to save money. Whenever someone gives her more money, she puts it in her piggy bank right away.

"Seeing the children trying so hard, I don't allow myself to give up. I don't expect to be rewarded in any way in the future. As long as my three grandchildren study properly, take care of themselves, and love each other, I have fulfilled my responsibility as an aunt," said Ms. Phuong.

Youngest sister Tieu Vy smiled brightly, teasing aunt Nhan.

Three sisters lost their mother at an early age and had to fend for themselves.

An Nhien is tiny, dwarfed by her friends in first grade.

Ms. Hoac Le Phung, Vice Principal of Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Primary School (Ba Diem Commune), said that the school has 4 students, who are Ms. Phuong's children and grandchildren, studying there. After learning about the family's situation, the school promptly had a plan to support and reduce tuition fees for subjects such as English.

Ms. Nguyen Huynh Phuong Dung, An Nhien's homeroom teacher, said that at the first parent meeting of the year, she and the parent representative committee were able to raise money to support health insurance payments for An Nhien and Thanh Nhan (Ms. Nhan's son) who are in the same class.

"Nhien is very small, less than 1 meter tall, dwarfed by her peers. Although she has not been exposed to the curriculum before, she is very smart and learns very quickly" - Ms. Dung commented.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/xot-xa-hoan-canh-cua-3-em-nho-mo-coi-vua-di-hoc-vua-ban-ve-so-196251009083207977.htm