The amazing willpower of a man infected with dioxin

Unfortunately, he was exposed to the toxic chemical dioxin from his father who fought in the Quang Tri battlefield (1972) during the years of resistance against the US, but with great determination, Chu Cong Hoan (born in 1983), residing in Hamlet 2, Dien My Commune (Dien Chau) has built a happy life for himself.

Mr. Hoan and his handsome son Chu Dinh Minh Chau. Photo: Thu Hien

Following the small road in Hamlet 2, Dien My Commune, we came to the family of Chu Cong Hoan - a person with a congenital motor disability. We arrived at the right time when Mr. Hoan was playing with his children. Although he could not pronounce clearly, the way he hugged and caressed his children showed the joy and warmth of this disabled father. The small house was filled with laughter.

Inviting guests to a cup of hot tea, Mr. Hoan confided:“For a disabled person like me, getting married and having children is a luxury. That small happiness that seemed impossible has come. I feel I am luckier than many others.”

In 2010, Mr. Hoan married Ms. Le Thi Tien (born in 1989) with the blessings of relatives on both sides. Joy followed joy when Ms. Tien gave birth to two sons, named Chu Dinh Minh Chau (born in 2011) and Chu Dinh Minh Nhat (born in 2013). Both children have developed normally and healthily since birth. That is what makes Mr. Hoan happiest.

"At first I was very worried that my children would be like their father. But luckily…" -Mr. Hoan looked at his children with eyes full of hope.

To earn money to support his wife and two children, he traveled every day on an ox cart he had built himself, to every corner of the village. He pulled whatever people hired him to pull. That is why people in the village jokingly called him “Hoan the ox cart”. That seems to be how people remember this disabled young man.

Mr. Chu Cong Hoan next to his homemade car. Photo: Thu Hien

Realizing that the work of pulling a cart was hard and the income was low, in 2013, Mr. Hoan decided to borrow 50 million VND to develop the economy. On an area of ​​nearly 2,000m² Renting from the commune, Mr. Hoan dug 2 sao of pond to raise fish, built a barn to raise livestock and poultry. Currently, in the family's barn there are 15 pigs, 1 cow and hundreds of poultry such as geese, chickens, pigeons, ... From this livestock model, each year his family earns more than 50 million VND. A large amount of money for a disabled person like him.

In the early days of building the livestock model, Mr. Hoan encountered many difficulties such as capital, input material prices, especially animal feed, diseases, consumer markets, etc. He said that at the end of 2017, the price of live meat dropped sharply, leading to capital losses. However, he was not discouraged and continued to persevere.

Choosing the livestock farming model, digging ponds to raise fish to develop the family economy, Mr. Hoan initially encountered many difficulties. However, up to now, he has earned an income of 50 million VND/year. Photo: Thu Hien

For a normal person, to build a livestock and poultry farming model is not simple, let alone he is a disabled person. However, overcoming many obstacles and difficulties, with the help of brothers and friends, now Mr. Hoan has a stable job and a dream family.

“With the help of the local government and the people, I have worked hard to learn from those who have gone before me to make a living and support my wife and children. You may not know about others, but for me, I am disabled but not useless. I will try to live a good life to take care of my family and be useful to society,” Hoan shared.

With the help of local authorities and people, Mr. Hoan has built a livestock model that brings in a stable income. Photo: Thu Hien

It is known that Mr. Hoan is the third child in a farming family. His parents were both brave and tenacious soldiers on the battlefield during the years of fighting against the Americans to save the country. Although not as lucky as his siblings because he was infected with Agent Orange when he was born, with his great determination, Mr. Hoan has now built for himself a stable and happy home.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tam - Chairman of Dien My Commune People's Committee (Dien Chau) said:“Chu Cong Hoan is a man of strong will and determination. Despite his congenital disability, he has risen up and worked tirelessly to support himself and his family. Hoan is an example for many people in the community to learn from.”