Charity
Brittle-bone boy faces life with strength
  • By Xuan Sinh-Van Dung | dtinews.vn | March 18, 2014 07:00 AM

A poor boy in central Ha Tinh Province is in need of help to overcome a bone disease and acute pneumonia.

Pham Van Nam showing a certificate of merit for his excellent study results

Pham Van Nam, in the seventh grade, is from a poor family and has three siblings. Nam could not enjoy children's games like other children since his bones were easily broken. 

Nam only weights 19kg, but he has amazed everybody by his will to live and strive. For six years, parents and friends carried him to school and helped him overcome his diseases. Nam has always been successful in his studies.

Nam (right) and his friends at school

Nam's father, Pham Van Tuy said, "When I watch other children play, I just wish my son could run and walk normally. When he finished fifth grade, we told him that he couldn't go to school anymore. He refused to eat in protest, but eventually accepted staying home. When he saw his friends preparing for new school year, he was determined to continue studying, so we let him go."

Nam said he had been afraid of being teased at school, "When I used my arms to move, my friends would laugh at me, but teachers and close friends explained to others about my condition, so they stopped the teasing."

Just the 5km walk from home to school has been a huge challenge for Nam. His parents decided to take him by motorbike despite potential risks. Nam's bones have broken ten times. His father has to go very slowly, being extra careful on the road holes and bumps.

Nam carried by a friend to school

Everything got worse in 2010, when Nam was diagnosed with acute pneumonia. "His future was already gloomy with his brittle bones. I don't see how can he face life with pneumonia. Because of our financial situation, he had to abandon the treatment halfway through, and it's gotten worse," Tuy said.

Despite his condition, Nam is still optimistic. Because he does not have a wheelchair, Nam has to hold down two plastic chairs to get around. Nam said he wished to study information technology to help his parents.

Ha Thi Hue, vice headmistress of Thuy Mai Secondary School said, "Nam is a hard-working student and especially good at maths. He is a model for other children at this school."

If you can help Nam, please make donation through:

1. Code 1355: Pham Van Tuy (Nam's father) in Village 3, Son Mai Commune, Huong Son District, Ha Tinh Province
Tel: 0126. 626.3915

2. Compassionate Hearts Charity Fund – Dan tri Newspaper (Hanoi)
No. 2/48 Giang Vo Str., Dong Da Dist., HanoiTel: 04. 3. 7366.491/ Fax: 04. 3. 7366.490
Email:quynhanai@dantri.com.vn

* Vietnam Dong Account information at Vietcombank:
Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri
Account number: 045 100 194 4487
With Bank: THE BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM  – Thanh Cong Branch
* US Dollar Account information at Vietcombank:
Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri
Account number: 045 137 195 6482
SWIFT Code: BFTVVNVX
With Bank:  THE BANK FOR FOREIGN TRADE OF VIETNAM
 
* Vietnam Dong Account information at Vietinbank:
Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri
Account number: 10 201 0000 220 639
With Bank: Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade – Hoan Kiem Branch
 
* US Dollar Account information at MB Bank:
Account holder: Bao Khuyen hoc & Dan tri
Account number: 0721100357002
SWIFT Code: MSCBVNVX
With Bank: MILITARY COMMERCIAL JOINT STOCK BANK - MCSB ( No.3, Lieu Giai str., Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam)

3. Dantri/DTiNews' representative offices
Ha Tinh representative office: 46 Nguyen Cong Tru, Tan Giang Ward, Ha Tinh City. Tel: 039.3857.112
Da Nang representative office: 25 Nguyen TriPhuong, Thanh Khe Dist., Da Nang City. Tel: 0511.3653.725
Ho Chi MinhCity representative office: 39L Street 11, Ward 3, Binh Thanh Dist, Hochiminh City. Tel: 08. 66786. 885
Can Tho representative office:53/13 Ly Tu Trong, Ninh Kieu Dist., Can Tho City. Tel: 071.3.733.269

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