Heartbreaking scene of sick and poor old couple in Quang Trung commune

This year, she is 70 years old, but Ms. Hoang Thi Thom in An Vinh village, Quang Trung commune has not had a single moment of peace. She still has to work hard to earn a living and take care of her 71-year-old blind husband who has suffered from tuberculosis for more than 20 years.

Visiting the family of Mrs. Hoang Thi Thom and her husband, Mr. Bui Van Diem, in July, we were heartbroken to see where they lived. Although they were in their seventies, Mrs. Thom and her husband still had to live in a house less than 10 square meters, covered in moss and mold, with rotten beams and columns, and the sun shining slantingly and the rain shining brightly. The fluorescent light bulbs flickered on and off. Perhaps the most precious thing in that house was the bed where they were lying.

Telling us about her life, Mrs. Thom could not hold back her tears. She said that she and her husband worked hard to earn a living and raise their 5 children. But 20 years ago, after a long cough and fatigue, her husband, Mr. Diem, went to the provincial General Hospital for a check-up and was diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Since Mr. Diem got sick, the family's economy has plummeted, because the family's main source of income depends on his salary from dredging mud and plowing for hire. Since Mr. Diem got sick, in addition to living expenses, Mrs. Thom also had to worry about buying medicine to treat her husband. The amount of money is not small for her, having to spend 3-5 million VND per month. Although their 5 children are married, they are all poor and cannot help their parents much. Some died of cancer, others were sick or had accidents.

"In the past, we were very hungry and miserable. There was no rice to eat. We had many children so we often went hungry. Now that life has gotten a little better, the eldest child has died of cancer and the youngest has had an accident," Mrs. Thom confided.

Because of poverty and illness that have plagued the family for many years, Mr. Diem's ​​tuberculosis attacks were not treated in time and became more and more severe. One of his eyes gradually dimmed and he became completely blind, unable to walk on his own. Now, all the household chores are taken care of by Mrs. Thom, from meals, water, bathing, and laundry. Currently, the only source of income for the couple is a few hundred thousand dong from the disability allowance.

Speaking sadly, Mrs. Thom said: "We don't know how much longer we can take care of each other. Now we just hope to have a sturdy house so we don't have to worry about storms and rain, and don't bother our children and grandchildren."

Mr. Truong Van Huong, Chairman of the Red Cross Society of Quang Trung Commune (Tu Ky) said that Mrs. Thom and Mr. Diem's ​​family is in extremely difficult circumstances in the area. Relatives understand their situation and often visit them, sometimes giving them ready-made food, sometimes helping them with rice, eggs... but it is not worth much compared to the difficulties they face. Through this, they hope that benefactors will help so that the family can soon have a house to avoid the rain and sun.

Any help please send to Ms. Hoang Thi Thom, An Vinh village, Quang Trung commune, or transfer to Tu Ky district Red Cross Association via account number 2312201001930, Agribank Tu Ky branch.