Tran Thi Ly Ly

Tran Thi Ly Ly is growing up in a family that has faced one hardship after another. Four years ago, her father suffered a severe stroke and lost his ability to walk. He now relies on an old electric wheelchair donated by a neighbor. One year ago, Ly Ly and her siblings suffered another painful loss when their mother passed away from terminal liver cancer.

Before his stroke, Ly Ly’s father worked in construction and was the family’s main breadwinner. Unable to do physical work anymore, he now sells lottery tickets from his wheelchair, earning only around 2.50 EUR per day to support himself and his three children. His limited income must cover food, daily expenses, his medication, and the children’s education.

Financial hardship has already affected the children’s education. Ly Ly’s older sister had to leave school after Grade 9 and recently started learning sewing at a local workshop, hoping to earn an income and help her father support the family. Her younger brother is still in Grade 4. Outside school hours, Ly Ly takes responsibility for much of the housework, including cooking and caring for the family.

Despite losing her mother and living with the daily challenges of her father’s disability, Ly Ly continues to attend school and tries to keep moving forward. Support of 30 EUR per month would help cover her school supplies, learning expenses, and part of her father’s regular medication costs. This assistance would reduce the pressure on the family and, most importantly, help Ly Ly avoid having to leave school early because of financial hardship, as her older sister did.