Man drives a truck carrying goods to take care of a homeless child in Ho Chi Minh City

In a cramped rented house on 25A street, Tan Hung ward, the life of Mr. Tran Van Long (42 years old) has never been less difficult. The scene of a single father raising children after his wife passed away makes him always have to manage each meal for 4 children of school age. However, for more than a year, his family's meal has had another special member - the boy Nguyen Hoang Thien An (13 years old).

More bowls, more chopsticks" to take care of neighborhood children

Mr. Long knew Thien An from more than three years ago, when the two families were still neighbors. At the beginning of last year, An's mother got into trouble with the law, and the boy fell into a lonely situation. Seeing the child nearly his child's age just lingering around, without care, Mr. Long decided to bring him in to live together.

Seeing my child's situation was so pitiful, I thought to myself, let's just add a bowl and chopsticks, eat whatever we have, how can we abandon it," Mr. Long recalled.

Since living together, Mr. Long treats An like his own child. In the morning, An voluntarily takes his bicycle to school, and in the evening the whole family gathers around the meal tray. For about three months now, Mr. Long has connected with An's aunt abroad. Every month, the aunt sends back 2 million VND in living expenses for her child, helping to reduce the burden on his shoulders.

Saving every penny to take care of children going to school

The only source of livelihood for the whole family depends on Mr. Long's freelance truckloads with an uncertain income of 200,000 - 400,000 VND/day. Meanwhile, the rent of 5.5 million VND, electricity and water nearly 1.6 million VND, along with living expenses, makes the monthly budget up to 15-16 million VND. Despite packing up insufficiently, Mr. Long has never let a child drop out of school. During the school opening season, he puts aside worries to prepare new clothes for his children.

At the age of 67, Mr. Tran Van Bay (Mr. Long's biological father) still manages housework with his children every day. Mr. Bay simply shared: "Mother is in trouble with the law, father left for many years, if I don't adopt him, where will the child go, where will I get money to rent a house, eat and drink. When I take him in, whatever the children eat, An will eat. The child is well-behaved and intelligent, and in the evening he also teaches the younger siblings. I only tell him to try to study hard to have a better future later".

Opening the door to the future from community spreading

In response to love, Thien An is very obedient. The boy takes care of his own studies, helps with housework, and sets up the meal with Mr. Bay and waits for Uncle Long to come home from work to eat with his siblings.

Grandpa and Uncle Long love and take good care of me. In the morning, grandpa cooks rice, I clean up and wait for uncle to come home from work to eat together. I just know to try to study really hard to become a good person later and repay the merits of grandpa and uncle," Thien An emotionally confided.

Commenting on the case of baby Thien An, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nghia (Deputy Secretary of the Party Cell, Head of neighborhood 19, Tan Hung ward) said that the locality always prioritizes supporting her from food to scholarships. Last school year, An still maintained good academic performance.

Mentioning the kindness of Mr. Bay and Mr. Long's family, Ms. Nghia emotionally said: "The affection of Mr. Long's family and Uncle Bay is extremely precious. Between them and baby An, there is absolutely no blood relationship. Mr. Long himself is also a single father raising 4 young children, the economy is very difficult. But because of village and neighborhood affection, they still open their arms to welcome the orphaned child. That is indeed the spirit of'the torn leaf protects the torn leaf', very worthy of respect and spreading".

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