The heartbreaking plight of three orphaned sisters in Thanh Chuong.

When we visited the family of Vo Tuan Khang in Thuy Son hamlet, Thanh Thuy commune, Thanh Chuong district, to inquire about their circumstances, everyone in the village expressed their sympathy.

Mr. Vo Van Hien – Khang's grandfather – recounted that Khang's parents were Mr. Vo Van Hao and Ms. Ho Thi My Nhung. Mr. Hao was from Nghe An province and Ms. Nhung was from Quang Tri province. They met and fell in love while working as laborers in Ho Chi Minh City. After getting married, the couple moved to Long An province to start a new life.

In 2013, the couple had their first daughter, Vo Ho Ha Vy, and two years later, their son, Vo Tuan Khang, was born. Their happiness was short-lived, however, as shortly after, the family discovered that Khang was different from other children; his head was abnormally swollen. When Mr. and Mrs. Hao took their son to the doctor, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus.

Vo Tuan Khang is bedridden due to hydrocephalus. Photo: PV

Since Khang fell ill, his mother had to quit her job at the company to stay home and take care of him. As for Mr. Hao, in addition to his job at the company, he takes on extra work to earn money to cover living expenses and his son's medication. The terrible disease has left Khang bedridden, and all his personal needs are taken care of by his family.

Life continued to be a struggle until 2017, when Mr. Hao and his wife had another child, Vo Ho Phuong Trinh. Seeing their daughter born healthy, the couple felt somewhat compensated. With many children and a difficult life, and their son Khang suffering from a congenital disease, Mr. Hao and his wife shared their joys and sorrows, working hard for their children's future.

However, that simple happiness didn't last long as a series of misfortunes befell the couple. In late 2022, Ms. Nhung felt unwell, experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness, so she went to the hospital for a check-up. Holding the results in her hand, she felt like collapsing upon learning she had late-stage breast cancer. Despite their difficult lives, Mr. Hao set aside his worries to support his wife; he took her to central hospitals for treatment. But their efforts were in vain; her condition worsened and the cancer metastasized to her brain. Shortly after, she passed away…

“When Nhung knew she didn't have long to live, she told me that when she passed away, she wanted to be buried in her maternal hometown in Quang Tri province. Seeing her say that, I felt so sorry for her and agreed to let her and her children have their wish fulfilled. From the day she was diagnosed until she passed away, it was only one month; leaving behind her young children, it's heartbreaking!” - Mr. Hien said emotionally.

Tragedy continued to plague Khang's family. Just over a month after his mother's death, his father fell seriously ill and later passed away from cirrhosis. Heartbreakingly, in less than two months, the three children witnessed the deaths of their dearest loved ones. Khang and his siblings were orphaned, left to rely on their elderly grandparents.

The three sisters were orphaned at a young age, losing both their father and mother. Photo: PV

After his parents passed away, Khang was moved from Long An province to live with his paternal grandparents. His eldest sister and youngest sister are currently living with their maternal grandparents in Quang Tri. “This coming summer, we will welcome Vy and Trinh to live with their paternal grandparents. Because we feel sorry for the children who have lost their parents, even though we are old, we still open our arms to care for them. No matter how difficult things get, we will do our best to support them and provide for their education. Our only worry is that when we are old and frail and pass away, we will no longer be able to care for them, and then we don't know what their future will be like,” Mr. Hien shared sorrowfully.

Sharing in the family's difficult circumstances, the local authorities promptly offered encouragement and support, calling for donations to help Khang and his siblings gradually overcome their grief and loss and stabilize their lives.

Mr. Ha Hong Thai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thanh Thuy commune (Thanh Chuong district), said: "The local authorities deeply sympathize with the circumstances of Vo Tuan Khang's family. Besides mobilizing support, the commune always pays special attention to the family, prioritizing gifts during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year) to encourage the children. We also hope to receive more attention and assistance from philanthropists so that the family can care for Khang and his two sisters, providing them with medical care and enabling them to continue attending school."