Tragedy struck the poor and sickly family.

Mr. Ngo was born into a poor family in Hamlet 1, Quynh Hong Commune. He himself suffered from a neurological disorder that caused frequent seizures whenever the weather changed, making him unable to do heavy work. Sympathizing with Mr. Ngo's situation, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Tien from Quynh Giang Commune agreed to marry him when she was just 22 years old. When they moved out on their own, they had nothing but the old, dilapidated house left behind by his family.

Ms. Tien – a frail mother – now only hopes to have enough strength to earn money to support her husband and children. Photo: Hong Dien

The young couple faced many hardships, but they were united in overcoming them all. Happiness seemed to overflow when their two sons, Tan and Trieu, were born one after the other. Due to poor health, Mr. Ngo could only tend a few rows of vegetables in the garden, so the burden of providing food, clothing, school fees for the children, and medicine for her husband fell heavily on Mrs. Tien's frail shoulders. Besides a few leased rice paddies, she went out daily to catch crabs and snails to earn extra money to support the family.

Out of love for their hardworking parents, the couple's two children grew up to be well-behaved and academically successful, renowned throughout the region. Their eldest son, though academically gifted, after graduating from 9th grade, wanted to earn money to help his parents support his younger brother Trieu's education and save up for house repairs for the whole family. Therefore, he chose the North Nghe An Vocational College of Economics and Technology to study both academics and a trade. Just as he was about to receive his industrial electrical engineering diploma, Tan was overjoyed at the prospect of fulfilling his dream. Tragically, a fatal accident a week ago claimed his life at the young age of 17. Tan's death leaves a great loss for his family; his father is ill, and his frail, small mother has been completely devastated.

The dilapidated house of Mr. Vu Ngoc Ngo's family in Hamlet 1, Quynh Hong Commune, Quynh Luu District. Photo: Hong Dien

Visiting Mr. Ngo and Ms. Tien's house these days, anyone who sees it feels a pang of sadness because of the immense loss. The house, built long ago, is now dilapidated, with peeling walls and termite-infested wood. When it rains or is windy, the family members have to evacuate to a neighbor's house for shelter, which is heartbreaking.

Suppressing her grief, Ms. Tien shared: "Our family life has always been difficult. We have to toil in the fields to earn enough for a meager meal and to pay for our children's education. Despite the hardships, seeing our children grow up day by day and learn to share with their parents gives us the motivation to strive for a better life. Now, my biggest worry and hope is to have enough health to continue working hard to earn money to buy medicine for my husband and support Trieu's education so he can pursue his dreams."