Focus on Special People
Nguyen Thi Dieu Quynh (Dong Ha Town, Quang Tri Province) (81)
For the last 7 years progressively, this young girl and her sister have been faced with the task of caring for a mother who has an advanced bone disease.
Now almost completely bed ridden, Quynh and her slightly older sister have to do everything. Schoolwork is done in the early hours or late at night. Social interaction outsid of school does not exist. HRA has provided a wheelchair, and blankets, as well as overseeing medical care and medication for the mother. Despite this, Quynh is achieving high grades, and is always smiling when we visit their basic tin shed that they are allowed to use for a home. As a developing teenager, life has many more challenges ahead. HRA is committed to helping Quynh and her family, with the support of others who want to assist.
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Le Thi Xuan Quyen (Tan Thach, but school in HCMC) 62
A bright and bubbly girl, Quyen was born with a disease that leaves her with crippled and deformed legs, and bones that break easily. She has not grown as much as others her age, but has an infectious smile, and is a very good student, being among the top in her class. Quyen can only move about by crawling on the ground or floor, or by having others push her in an old plastic chair fitted with wheels. She needs a paediatric wheelchair, but these can be expensive. Without a sponsor, she is being supported by HRA in the interim because of her condition. Recently, she was taken to Ho Chi Minh City to a special school that is being run by a Vietnamese wo is a specialist in Traditional medicine. She is there with about 20 other children, and is seeing excellent results in controlling the condition. However it will be with her for life, and her needs will become more complex as she develops. A happy and effervescent personality, Quyen is always “the life of the party”. http://www.oiaustralia.org.au
Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai (Tan Thach Town, Ben Tre Province) 47
Mai is one student in 10 million! Growing up in a bamboo thatched hut, amidst coconut plantations in the Mekong Delta region, Mai has topped all students in the Southern part of Vietnam in all subjects, from her early years and still today. Her parents eke out a meagre living that barely sustains the small family. They are happy, but well aware of their poverty, and realise they have to make the best of their life. HRA has assisted Son, Mai’s father, with tools to assist his small motorbike repair ‘business’.. and her mother makes clothes for a few cents per item. Mai helps the family, and studies long hours.
Excelling also in singing and sport (in school) she has a great future, if she can continue through school and Tertiary study. Sponsored currently, the family are so grateful for this assistance. HRA has also assisted with a second hand lap top computer, a valuable tool for Mai. She is always a delight to meet, happy, confident and thankful for all she has been given. Mai is an exemple of what can be possible for students who get assistance. There are many who may have her ability, but will never have the opportunity. Sponsorship is so important in poor regions of Vietnam.
Tran Ut Det (Tan Thach Town, Ben Tre Province) 58
Det is a young boy who is part of a family of five who live on the streets. With sponsorship, he and his sister have been able to attend school several days a week. They do not wear school uniform always, or present ‘clean and tidy’, but they are there! It is a new experience. Several days a week they continue to sell things on the streets, to provide food and basic needs. Sometimes, to check their health or give sponsorship funds, we have to go into the streets to search for them. Usually they can be found walking about with lottery tickets or similar items. Their school results are average, but for their situation, that is good.
They need a home, and many basic things in life. But to start, we are encouraged that Dat and his sister are starting out with some basic education. The challenge continues, and with hoped for support, HRA wants to assist this family.