This is done to see how the families have improved after receiving our help, but also it is a time for team members to look for additional impoverished families to help. It is a big job, but we are all happy to go! The task that lies before us promises many interesting things just waiting for us to arrive.As I mentioned in the last blog, every month, I would describe a different family’s situation in our program. This time, we visited the Song Cong area where it is well-known that 1/3 of the population are single parents, (both mothers and fathers). Many parents die because unsafe working condition. In addition, some children find themselves abandoned by one or more parents through illness or desertion. There is one family in particular, (code named, TG_0057), that I will tell you about.
The family has three children who live with their poor grandparents. Their mother died with one of her children when the boat she was riding sank. Their father left with another woman and has never been back nor has he given any support for the three children. There isn’t anything of value in the 15m² house, (approx. 738 sq. feet). The roof leaks during the rainy season so they have to cover the bed with a raincoat. The children are at high-risk of dropping out of school because the family income is minimal, and school costs for the three children are a lot. The grandfather works very hard as a sand and pebble porter from the river. He toils from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday. He barely earns $3 dollars (U.S.) per day, which is far too little to provide for 5 people’s existence. The grandmother grows vegetables, cooks for the family and does all the daily chores that the family needs. They don’t receive any subsidy except the medical insurance card which costs them $10 dollars. The insurance will only cover minor illnesses.
Huyen, the oldest child, said to me that she feels like an abandoned child. It’s very hard for her to be the oldest sister. The children at school have never stopped tormenting her and her siblings because the family is so poor. They don’t have many friends. She would love to have some changes in her life, but her family is too poor and the grandparents are getting quite old.Trang is the second child. She is very quiet, but her face brightens when she smiles. Trang told me she wants to be a teacher. That is a precious dream in the world of a young child - of being teacher. The youngest child is named Duy, and he is 6 years old. He will start school in this September.
HSCV found them in a long list of the poor people when we worked with the local People Committee’s in November 2007. HSCV has worked very hard to call for help, especially with the world’s economy in such a bad state. Our over all number of sponsors has dropped. In recent months, many of our past sponsors have been unable to renew their sponsorships. Additionally, the number of new sponsors has decreased dramatically. Fortunately, we were able to find sponsors for Educational Scholarships for Trang and Huyen. They are very thankful to have this sponsorship. Huyen hard work has put her at the top of her class. Trang enjoys studying and she would like to attend some extra classes of mathematics and English. These sponsorships are a great support, but more is needed. We are still waiting for sponsors for the rice distribution program. This program is a vital component in our Family Assistance Programs. Without the additional donation of rice Trang and Huyen are still at risk of dropping out of school. We also looking to donate at least one bicycle to Trang and Huyen.
We always hope our families situations improve each year. Sadly, this family’s status has changed only a little since HSCV’s last visit. The children are growing quickly, now is the time for us to change their futures. They need your help, and are waiting for just one act of kindness from you!Tran N. Lien
Please contact me at tnlien(at)hscv.org to learn how you can sponsor this family or another family just like them.
Visit our website at www.hscv.org
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