An Elderly Couple's Enduring Love and Struggle in a Crumbling Home
In the poor countryside of Phu Tho province, the sight of 89-year-old Mr. Thieu Manh Trong, with his trembling hands, caring for his bedridden wife, 85-year-old Mrs. Vi Thi Lich, is truly heart-wrenching. The couple's home, built way back in 1980, is now severely dilapidated. Its walls are stained and crumbling, and the tiled roof is so damaged it looks like it could collapse at any moment. Whenever it rains or storms, the frail elderly couple has to help each other seek shelter at their neighbors' homes to escape the leaking roof and potential danger.
""My wife is bedridden, I have difficulty walking, and Trinh (Mr. Trong's son) is slow-witted and doesn't know how to do much, so the house is in this messy state,"" Mr. Trong shared sadness about his family's situation. Three years ago, while trying to ""evacuate"" their leaky house during a heavy downpour, his wife unfortunately fell. She has been bedridden ever since, completely dependent on her husband for all her personal needs.
Despite suffering from various age-related illnesses, with his eyesight dimming and his steps growing slower each day, Mr. Trong still manages everything – from caring for his wife to handling their daily life. Their son, Trinh, who is nearly 40 years old, has an intellectual disability. He spends his days wandering along canals and ponds, trying to catch crabs and snails to earn a little extra to help them get by. His work is precarious, and the income is meager, making their already difficult life even more challenging.
It was well past noon. Sunlight streamed through the holes in the dilapidated roof like Mr. Trong, with unsteady hands, carried a simple tray of food and placed it beside his wife's bed. The meal for the ailing woman requires only a bowl of plain white rice and a dish of thoroughly boiled cabbage. Looking at the meager meal, the elderly couple sadly tried to swallow each spoonful so they could take their medicine. Mr. Trong's simple wish is for a sturdy home to shelter them from the rain and sun, and a meal with a little meat to help nourish them in their old age. Their situation truly calls for the compassionate support of the community to help alleviate some of the hardships they face.
