A Grandmother’s Love and a Girl’s Determination

Vy is 16 years old, and her older brother, Tam, is 19. Their mother passed away when Vy was only three months old, and shortly after, their father abandoned them. With no support from their paternal grandparents, they moved in with their maternal grandmother, Luyen, who has been raising them ever since.

When Vy was diagnosed with HIV, the news spread quickly throughout the village. Many parents didn't let their children play with her. “If they won’t play with me, I just walk away. I know how to take care of myself and protect others,” Vy says. Despite the stigma, she dreams of becoming a doctor so she can take care of her grandmother.

Vy’s kindergarten teacher allowed her to finish preschool, but when she had to start primary school, pressure from parents and a prejudiced principal kept her from enrolling. Without school, Vy spent a lonely year at home, missing her friends who were no longer allowed to play with her. In addition to being a caretaker, Vy’s grandmother became her teacher, nurse, and only playmate.

But Luyen refused to give up. With support from VNHIP, she convinced a new school principal to allow Vy to enroll. Vy now loves school and is a dedicated student. Although she has to sit alone and go home for lunch, she cherishes the chance to study and play with her friends during recess.

“At lunchtime, I usually pick Vy up from school. She loves to eat with her classmates, but the other parents won’t allow it,” Luyen says.

Due to her age and financial struggles, Luyen is unable to work full-time. She raises chickens and takes on small jobs whenever possible, but the family still struggles to meet their basic needs. They receive some government assistance, but it is not enough. Luyen once borrowed 20,000,000 VND (about $600 USD) to pay for her daughter’s funeral and support her grandchildren, but she cannot access further loans because she cannot repay the debt.

To improve their situation, Luyen has applied for a VNHIP livelihood grant to expand her chicken farm and increase their income. Your support can help Vy and her grandmother build a more secure future.

How you can help: 
Ngo Vy’s grandmother would like to raise more chickens to earn additional income and provide more food for the family.
With $400 USD in support, she can build her future income and outlook.