A mother who has been suffering from blood cancer for the last four year is still working to maintain her family as her husband is also suffering from ill health.

Pham Thi Ke, mother of three, earns her living by wood cutting. She sets out every morning at 4 am to the forest. If she doesn’t do that her family will starve.

Ke was born into a very poor family. Her parents did not have enough money for her to go to school. When Ke was nine years old, her mother contracted a serious illness. The family had to sell all they had to meet the cost of medical treatment. During that time, Ke worked as a housekeeper to also support the family. She returned home after 6 years and joined the family in wood cutting.

She was married at 22. She and her husband worked hard to support their family and save for their children’s educations. Unfortunately, in 2004, her husband was diagnosed with bladder gravel and had to undergo surgery. The couple had to sell their belonging to meet the cost of hospital treatment. Ke’s husband has never fully recovered from his illness in spite of the surgery. This left her as the sole bread winner.

A year later, she Ke was diagnosed with blood cancer. “I get admitted into hospital every month for blood transfusion and thanks to government insurance I only have to pay just a part of the cost of my treatment.” said Ke.

However, traveling and the rest of the medical cost are also a worry for such a poor family. The older children have offered to leave school to get a job to help support the family.

“We made a promise to each other that we would earn enough to cover the cost of their education but things are difficult. But we will do as much as we can so that our children can continue their education”, said her husband.

The two older children are doing very well in school. One of them fainted once at school due to hunger. The youngest child does not go to school because they cannot afford the fees.

“I haven’t got long to live, but I wish that someone would help educate my three children so they will not have to cut wood for living as I have.” Ke told us.

“When I die, I would like someone to help my children continue their education,” said Ke.

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