Ms. Nguyen Thi Mao is burdened with the burden of making a living, taking care of her elderly mother and son. Photo: Quynh Chi

LD26023: The burden of making a living weighs on the shoulders of a poor mother

Quỳnh Chi (báo lao động) 29/01/2026 16:42 (GMT+7)

The burden of worrying about food and clothing makes the woman strain her shoulders because she is struggling to earn every penny to raise her children to study and take care of her sick elderly mother.

In a small house that has deteriorated over time, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Mao (born in 1975) is fighting against a life full of fatigue every day. The old house, peeling walls in Binh Vong village (Thuong Tin commune, Hanoi City) is not only a place to shelter from the sun and rain, but also the only shelter for the three mothers, children, grandmother and grandchildren in the years of accumulated difficulties.

Without a stable job, Mrs. Mao lives by doing whatever she is hired to do. Some days she goes to weed, some days collects scrap metal, and sometimes helps with chores in the village. Unstable income, less than 2 million VND per month, just enough to take care of a simple meal and medicine. "When I'm healthy, I can still go to work, but when I'm in pain, I have to stay home, I don't have any money," Mrs. Mao shared.

The burden of making a living weighs heavily on the shoulders of a woman who already carries many diseases. Mrs. Mao suffers from bone and joint diseases, cardiovascular disease, and her health is declining day by day. However, she still tries to get up every day, because behind her are her young son who is of school age and her elderly and weak mother who needs daily care.

Ms. Mao's son - Tu Gia Minh, is currently studying (grade 7). Understanding the family circumstances, Minh is very obedient, diligent in studying and often helps his mother with small housework. "I know my mother is hard, so I try to study really well, hoping to help my mother later," Gia Minh said.

In addition to raising her children, Mrs. Mao also has to take care of her biological mother, Mrs. Do Thi Cuong (79 years old). Old and weak, Mrs. Cuong suffers from severe bone and joint disease, almost unable to walk, all activities depend on her daughter. From meals, sleep to taking medicine every day, all is taken care of by Mrs. Mao alone. Mrs. Mao's father passed away more than 4 years ago, leaving behind an elderly mother and heavy responsibilities for her daughter.

Gánh nặng mưu sinh đè nặng lên vai bà Mão vì không việc làm ổn định, phải lo cho mẹ già và con trai. Ảnh: Quỳnh Chi — The burden of making a living weighs heavily on Mrs. Mao's shoulders because she has no stable job and has to take care of her elderly mother and son. Photo: Quynh Chi

The biggest upheaval hit the family in 2022, when the COVID-19 epidemic broke out. Ms. Mao suddenly suffered a stroke and had to be treated at Bach Mai Hospital for more than a month. During that time, all medical expenses and living expenses were taken care of by her younger brother, Mr. Mau, even though his family was also in difficult circumstances. "My younger brother helped at that time, but in the long run, he could not afford it," Ms. Mao said choked up.

Mrs. Mao's husband goes to work far away, rarely returns home to visit. All income and responsibility for taking care of the family are almost entirely on the shoulders of this woman. Currently, she only receives a social allowance of 900,000 VND/month - a meager amount of money not enough to cover living expenses and medicine for all three people.

Relatives and relatives are far away, and economic conditions are also difficult, so the support is insignificant, so Mrs. Mao's family's life is even more difficult and precarious.

Talking to a reporter of Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Luong Khac Hung - Head of Binh Vong village, Thuong Tin commune, Hanoi City said that Ms. Nguyen Thi Mao is one of the particularly difficult cases in the locality. Ms. Mao alone raises her children to study, takes care of her sick elderly mother, while her health is poor and her income is unstable. The locality has paid attention and supported within its capabilities, but in reality, the family's life is still very poor.

According to Mr. Hung, for Mrs. Mao to continue to shoulder the burden of her family, it is very necessary to have care, sharing and joint help from the community. "Each support, no matter how small, is a great source of encouragement for her family to overcome this difficult period," Mr. Hung shared.

All help for life situation LD26023, please send to Tam Long Vang Charity Social Fund - 51 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Account number (STK) 113000000758 at Vietinbank Hoan Kiem Branch, Hanoi; Account number: 0021000303088 - at Vietcombank Hanoi Branch; Account number: 12410001122556 - at BIDV Hoan Kiem Branch.