The reunion between a long lost mother and her family had plenty of joy and tears, but difficult challenges lie ahead.

Nguyen Lam Son has been separated from his mother for 31 years. After Dan Tri/DTiNews reported their story and with the help of a programme called “Nhu chua he co cuoc chia ly” (Never ever separate, a humanity programme that helps people find lost relatives), Son recognised his mother and went to Street 8, Tran Phu Ward, in Ha Tinh City where his mother has been living, excited for their reunion.

The tree where an elderly mother passed the days and nights

Son was reunited with his mother 2 days ago but she still doesn't recognise him. He has tried sharing past memories in hopes that she can recall her past. She shouts at him anytime he goes near her to give her food.

Son's mother doesn't believe his story and is easily agitated

When his mother is calm, he has been trying to apologise. “Please forgive me mom. We had tried to find you but we could not. We thought that you might be gone.”

He has cried and told her, “We also had a hard life mom.” People around them cannot help being moved when thinking about the difficult lives for Son and his siblings after their parents were separated.

Son also shared, “My first sister got married and had 4 children. But her husband often beat her then they are divorced. She left Ca Mau and moved to Ho Chi Minh city to work as a nanny.”

His youngest brother is in ill health and has 3 children, but they all left school because they are too poor. The second youngest brother is a worker but also cannot support his family with his income. Another brother is living at Ben Tre Province and suffers from serious liver disease. They all wanted to go with Son to find their mother but did not have enough money.

Difficult lives for Son and his family

Son might be faced with the most difficult life of the siblings now. He has 4 children and his wife suffers from kidney disease. Before he came to Ha Tinh, he spent all his money and borrowed more to cover treatment costs for his wife. Despite these circumstances, Son still found a way to find his mother.

Kind people at the Ward Tran Phu can foresee the challenges ahead which Son and his mother may face even though Son has just arrived. He managed to save enough money to cover his traveling fees but that's it. He does not even have money to buy a gift for those who have helped his mother.

People here have once again helped this family by mobilising some money with an aim of assisting them to get to Can Tho.

Raising money to get mother and son to Can Tho

According to Dang Thi Van, who helped the elderly mother for years, most people here understand their difficult circumstances and are willing to help them. Some gave money and some gave them cakes or fruits.

Kind hearts help the old lady

Together, they have mobilised VND4 million ($216) to help this family. Son told us through his tears, “I had been to many places to work, but I haven't been to a place where people are as compassionate as they are here. Now I understand why my mother has been able to survive. I want to say thousands of sincere thank-yous from the bottom of my heart to all of you here. I definitely will never forget you and will come back here to see you again.”