Heartbreaking story of a mother who carries scrap metal to raise two children to go to college

We visited the family of Nguyen Thi Xinh and her three children living in Cua Nam ward. It was a house of gratitude built by the local authorities as a gift for the family of a martyr. Built a long time ago, the house has now deteriorated, lacking the warmth and care of a man, making it even more empty and cold.

The most valuable asset in Ms. Xinh's house is the television.oldPhoto: Vu Hoang

Ms. Xinh shared that her father-in-law and mother-in-law were married for 12 years before they had Mr. Nguyen Canh Thuy - her husband. However, before her husband was born, her father-in-law died while participating in the battle to protect the village (at that time he was a militiaman of Giao Thuy district, Nam Dinh province).

Understanding and sharing with her husband the lack of fatherly love since childhood, therefore, when she became a daughter-in-law, Ms. Xinh always tried to build a complete home. She gave birth to two children, a girl and a boy, handsome and chubby, and worked hard to raise them. The husband drove a cyclo, the wife sold fruit, the family life was not very rich but it was enough for a small happy family.

Life was peaceful, in 2014 Mr. Thuy suddenly passed away after a stroke, leaving behind his old mother, young wife and two young children. Not long after, his mother-in-law also passed away due to old age. Two consecutive pains made Ms. Xinh collapse.

She had to struggle to make a living to take care of her two school-age children. However, ironically, last year, while collecting scrap metal, she had an accident and was seriously injured. As the breadwinner of the family, she had to stay in bed for treatment, so she had to scramble for money for medicine. The difficult family situation became even more difficult. "There were times when I felt like life was at a dead end, but thinking of my two children, I had to try to get up and continue to try to take care of my family" - Ms. Xinh confided.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Xinh's scrap metal business supports her whole family.Photo: Vu Hoang

After a period of treatment, her health was more stable, thanks to a relative who gave her a bicycle as a means of earning a living, she continued to carry scrap metal to support her family. Although her legs were limping and she felt pain every time the weather changed, the mother still worked hard every day to make a living, with the hope that her children would be able to study properly.

Despite the hardship, to make up for their mother's losses, her two children, Nguyen Thi Hien (born in 2000) and Nguyen Canh Duc (born in 2002), grew up to be very obedient, knowing how to help their mother and study well. During their high school years, the two sisters were excellent students for many years in a row. Currently, Ms. Xinh's eldest daughter is a third-year student at Vinh University (Nghe An), while her son is a second-year student at Saigon University.

After school hours, Ms. Xinh's son obediently helps his mother with housework.Photo: Vu Hoang

Sharing about the pitiful situation of Ms. Xinh's family, Mr. Nguyen Sy Hoa - Head of Block 12, Cua Nam Ward said: "Ms. Xinh's family is a poor household in the locality. The whole family's life mainly depends on her scrap metal trips. Recently, the complicated Covid-19 epidemic situation, the income from tutoring and part-time jobs of the two children is gone, Ms. Xinh's scrap metal trips are also interrupted, making life, which is already difficult, even more difficult. We hope to receive help from the community, so that Ms. Nguyen Thi Xinh's mother and children can ease their difficulties and continue to rise up in life."

Please send any help to:

Nguyen Thi Xinh - block 12, Cua Nam ward, Vinh city, Nghe An

Phone: 0868.847.904 (Hien's number).