An unlucky little girl in Da Nang

Khue is a lovely girl who is 9 years old. Khue has a rare condition which requires special and expensive medications. She is experiencing early puberty which leads her body to develop rapidly. Her body is unable to produce enough calcium to provide healthy bone growth. Her brittle bones affect her ability to enjoy playtime at school and with friends, a broken bone can easily be the result of daily childhood games. Khue has had orthopaedic surgery already approximately 5 years ago to insert a plate and screws in her thigh. We have had a long association with this family and therefore understand their difficulties.

When we met her in 2007 she lived in a happy family with both her parents and her brother. Khue’s father was unable to overcome the pressure of sustaining family life and he disappeared in 2010. As a result the financial burden became the responsibility of Khue’s mother. She has three jobs -fish processing, cleaning houses, assisting her sister in law with cooking for weddings. Even though she works tremendously hard, she struggles to support Khue and her brother who is in grade five and is studying well at school. The school fees for the two children equate to two million VND per month.

Khue also suffers from otitis media resulting in the hearing in both ears to be severely diminished but the family has not money for corrective surgery. The cost of the surgery is around 10,000,000 VND.

Khue’s mother developed goiter (a thyroid condition) for which she has had surgery. Due to her high stress levels, it has recurred and she now needs to take on going medication, which costs 700,000 VND per month. Once again, there are no funds available for this medication.

Now Khue’s family is living with her grandma and uncle’s family. They are hopeful that one day they will be able to have their own home and live independently.

Last week, Khue felt aches and pains in her bones she went to Da Nang hospital to check up. The doctor asked that Khue be seen in Ha Noi to determine whether Khue needs to get the screws in her leg replaced or not.  The screws are supposed to be replaced after two or three years, Khue has had hers for five. The transportation cost alone is too great for Khue’s family to bear. It costs about three millions VND for Khue and her mother to go to Ha Noi by train.

It is an impoverished life without a escaping way. They are grateful to any person who can make a difference for their family.

$35 USD per month will help Khue mother to manage her health condition, $500USD will enable Khue to hear well again. $150 USD will enable Khue to be assessed at the hospital in Ha Noi. Any donation to achieve these funds will make a significant difference in this little girl family life.