Heartbreaking story of a young boy who suffered severe burns after falling into a kitchen fire.

Upon arriving at Hamlet 6, Ngoc Village (Chau Hong Commune, Quy Hop District), we unexpectedly encountered a young father holding his tiny son, about three years old, whose face was disfigured. Occasionally, the child would playfully cuddle and laugh with his father innocently, while the father's eyes reflected an indescribable sadness.

Upon inquiring, we learned that the young father was Truong Thanh Cong (born in 1990). In our conversation, Mr. Cong shared that he was born into a poor Thai family but was fortunate enough to be noticed and married by a kindergarten teacher. The birth of their two sons brought joy to the young couple.

Baby Truong Bach An shortly after being burned. Photo: Provided by the family.

Just a year ago, the eldest son, Truong Bach An, asked his mother to boil some eggs. While his mother, Mac Thi Sinh, was halfway through boiling the eggs, she went outside for an errand. Truong Bach An ran in and unfortunately fell right into the blazing wood-burning stove. He braced himself with his hands on the pile of burning coals, his face pressed into the pot of boiling eggs. By the time people discovered him, Bach An had already fainted, and his hands, face, and body were severely burned.

The family rushed their child to a local hospital, but the doctors advised them to quickly transfer her to the National Burn Institute. There, doctors determined that An had suffered fourth-degree burns covering 37% of her body.

Currently, An still has to travel to Hanoi for treatment every month. (Photo: Provided by the family)

So, all the money they had saved up over the years, along with valuable family possessions, were sold to pay for their son's treatment. It is known that Mr. Truong Thanh Cong's family is also classified as a poor household in the commune. "At night, I lie awake hearing my son wake up screaming, and it breaks my heart. Now, every month I have to take him to Hanoi for examination and treatment. I just hope that his suffering can be lessened," Mr. Cong said sadly.

Currently, little Truong Bach An is still attending preschool in Chau Hong commune. "I don't know if, with his face so disfigured, my son will have the courage to continue his studies," the young father said, tears welling up in his eyes as he looked at his child. A few months ago, Truong Thanh Cong and Mac Thi Sinh divorced. Both children live with their father.

Little An at the kindergarten where she attends. Photo: Dao Tho

Watching little Truong Bach An play, we felt a pang of sadness and wondered: Will his life be as fulfilling as the name his parents gave him suggests?