A little boy who lives in HCM City is in desperate need for help to get a leg surgery as his homeless family cannot afford to pay for his medical care.

Eight-year-old Tran Minh Tai and his grandmother at hospital

Eight-year-old Tran Minh Tai is the first child of a homeless six-member family who lives underneath Ong Lanh Bridge, which connects District 1 with District 4.

Now he is under treatment at Hospital 175 for a broken leg due to an accident while he was playing.

Tai’s parents lived with each other for 13 years, and the last several years they have been homeless. The children have no bedding, let alone a chance to go to school. The family struggles to eke out a meager living from one day to the next.

However, the little boy still has a great desire to go to school. Six months ago he was adopted at an orphanage in Go Vap District.

Ill-fated children of a homeless family

Pham Thai Huu, doctor from the hospital said, “Veins in Tai’s knee joint were severed and he needs to undergo a surgery which will cost around VND10 million (USD473.66) not including other medical fees.”

Tai’s parents find themselves helpless because they are living on such modest incomes. The father, Nguyen Minh Tuan, works as a motorbike taxi driver.

“I've been homeless since I was born. My husband became homeless after his family had to sell their house to settle debts. A few months after we moved in together my husband was jailed for three years for selling drugs. After being released from the prison, he could not find a job and opted to work as a motorbike taxi driver,” said Tai’s 29-year-old mother, Tran Thi Siu.

According to Siu, previously they often cooked meals for their children. Recently, they were compelled to stop doing so and had to buy cooked meals instead due to tighter supervision by local police.

Children with great desire to go to school

“Because we are homeless my children have a life of constant anxiety. Sometimes, they are awoken during night and scream in panic because of patrols by local police. I feel uncertain about the future of our children but find myself helpless to do anything,” Siu said.

Tai’s grandmother, Tran Thi Phung, said Tai and all his siblings do not have birth certificates.

Chu Thi Thu Lien, an educator at Nha An Toan Orphanage, said, “Six months ago, we conducted a survey and became aware of Tai’s situation. We decided to adopt him as he has a great appetite for study.”

Trang Quang Thuan, a local policeman in Cau Ong Lanh Ward said, “Even though we’re aware that Tuan’s family is living underneath the bridge, we don't have the heart to drive them away as we feel sorry for their unfortunate children.”

Any donations should be made through:

1. Code 1195: Tran Thi Siu, Underneath Ong Lanh Bridge, Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, HCM City

Mobile: 0932.687.715

2. Compassionate Hearts Charity Fund – Dan tri Newspaper (Hanoi)
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