This morning, we went for another round of family visits.
The first family we met was composed of five members, a couple and their three daughters. The eldest is studying economics in Ho Chi Minh City. Her education costs the family about 18 million dong in tuition each year, plus around 4 to 5 million dong monthly for living expenses. She also works part-time, but the pay is very low. The two younger daughters are still in school, in grades 11 and 9.
The family has been supported by Thien Chi for three years. They borrow 4 million dong per cycle to cultivate rice and for sewing activities. The mother works in rubber trees, and the father also takes on daily labor jobs. Unfortunately, he has throat cancer and a brain condition that causes memory loss. His wife accompanies him whenever he needs to go to Ho Chi Minh City for treatment.
Together, they earn around 7 million dong per month, most of which goes to support their eldest daughter’s studies. Their per-person monthly profit increased from 746 000 dong in 2022 to 1 million in 2025. They farm 3 000m² of rice fields, a part of which is rented. The family also receives full health insurance coverage, but still needs to pay around 70 000 dong a month for medication not covered by insurance.
The second family we visited also has five members, a couple, their three children, and a grandmother who has heart problems and needs daily medication. The two older children are in grades 12 and 4, and the eldest works in a car garage.
The parents grow 2 000m² of rice and raise chickens. They have a 5 million dong loan from Thien Chi, which helps them buy feed and seeds. After each harvest, they sell part of the rice to reinvest in fertilizers and keep the rest for their own consumption. The mother also works part-time for the local government, raising awareness about health and environmental protection, and collecting donations for families affected by floods in the north of Vietnam.
The third family was the most emotional one. It is composed of a single mother, her two children, and two grandchildren. Her son works nearby cutting grass for cows, as he can no longer work far away due to a motorbike accident that caused leg and head injuries. Her daughter suffers from brittle bone disease, her legs are deformed, and her bones break easily. She has lived with this since she was two months old. She cannot work and receives 1 million dong per month from the government.
Another daughter lives in Ho Chi Minh City but cannot take care of her two children, so they live here with their grandmother. Occasionally, she sends 1 or 2 million dong to help.
The grandson receives a 300 000 dong scholarship from Thien Chi each month. The grandmother also has a 5 million dong microloan to raise chickens and buy and sell fish at the market early in the morning. She currently has around 50 chickens and sells chicks once they are old enough. The government helped her by providing a cow and support for her house.
She often cries at night because life feels too heavy. Many in her family are sick or disabled, and survival is a daily struggle.
Thien Chi has already helped her twice before, using donations collected through GiveAsia when her son was in critical condition.
We were accompanied by a full-time village worker who looks after 70 families. Normally, part-time workers take care of around 30 to 40 families. It’s an impressive responsibility and a reminder that progress only happens when everyone is involved, families, staff, and communities together.
Leticia