By Dang Thi Phuong Loan | Project Contributor
Despite its beautiful name, "Sunrise Mountain" - Thai Giàng Pho commune (Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province) is still in the midst of the "battle" against hunger and poverty, with the poverty rate reaching 62.37% for the entire commune (According to the Lao Cai province electronic portal, 2023). With limitations in location, economic conditions, and social support, Thai Giàng Pho commune still faces many unfortunate circumstances that urgently require attention and support from the community.
Vàng Seo T. who is 13 years old, suffers from congenital mutism. Until now, he has been confined to his home with his mother. Since his mother passed away and his father has been imprisoned for several years, T. has become even more withdrawn.
Before, T. used to attend school, but due to difficult circumstances and a lack of specialized support around him, he gradually fell behind and had to drop out. Then, when T. was 11 years old, his mother passed away suddenly, and he moved in with his paternal uncle's family. Despite knowing that T. was disadvantaged, Vàng Seo A. - T.'s uncle - also faced difficulties and had to struggle to provide meals for his family. Previously, T. communicated by gestures or simple sounds. But now, without his mother, his uncle also finds it difficult to understand T., so she withdraws even more, only his sad eyes speaking volumes. Seeing him often lonely and withdrawn, A. shared: "We love him, but unfortunately, no one in the family understands what he's saying. We all hope he has a better life."
Vù Thi P. (14 years old) has been helping her blind father since she was young. Besides the state subsidy of 540,000 VND/month, P. and her father have no other source of income. Both P. and her father, along with their family of eight relatives living with them, rely heavily on the crops from their small plot of land. Life becomes even more precarious as their elderly relatives' health deteriorates. Despite their love for their granddaughter, P.'s grandparents try hard to ensure she receives an education like her siblings. However, due to concerns for the family's well-being, she cannot focus, often forgetting things, so after a while, P. also stopped going to school to help her grandparents with household chores and care for her father.
Differing from T. and P. who still have loving parents, Chau Seo D. (15 years old) suffers from congenital hemiplegia, leaving half of his body paralyzed. Despite being over 15 years old, D.'s legs are thin and tiny, resembling those of a ten-year-old child, and he lacks mobility. Thus, despite being the eldest brother at home, D. still needs his parents to take care of and support him in everything. Reluctant to see her son confined to a spot all day, even communication is reduced to incomprehensible sounds. D.'s father, C., doesn't know how to cope when their family is poor, with his five siblings still struggling. Therefore, seeking medical treatment or education for D. seems like an impossible dream.
In January 2024, For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF) granted sponsorship to them. The total amount of this sponsorship is 12 million VND for one year. We would like to sincerely thank our sponsors who have consistently supported us in implementing practical actions, contributing to providing children with the opportunity to lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
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