Mr. Dũng’s family is classified as a poor household in Hoài Đức Commune, Lâm Đồng Province. The couple has no farmland. Before his accident, Mr. Dũng worked as a freelancer, mainly collecting wild honey to sell, while his wife worked as a day laborer. Their house is about 50m², with unfinished brick walls and a temporary corrugated iron roof, and contains no valuable belongings.
Two years ago, while collecting honey, Mr. Dũng fell from a tall tree, breaking three vertebrae (L3–L4–L5) and severely damaging his spinal cord. He underwent surgery but has since been confined to a wheelchair and is unable to control urination. The surgery cost VND 75 million, which the family had to borrow.
When his health improved, he tried operating an electric tricycle to sell lottery tickets. However, for the past eight months, a tumor has developed on his hip. It ruptured and has not healed, making it impossible for him to sit. Chợ Rẫy Hospital recommended skin graft surgery, but his weakened condition has delayed the procedure.
Now, his wife shoulders the burden of caring for him and their three young children. On days when Mr. Dũng feels well, she can work, but with shortened hours, her income is too low to cover the family’s needs.
The family is seeking VND 10 million (about USD 400) to cover Mr. Dũng’s medical treatment and their children’s school fees for the new academic year. Once his health improves, he hopes to return to selling lottery tickets to support his family.
