At age 63, Mrs. Phạm Thị Xứ shares a modest home with her young grandson in Phú Đa village. While his mother works far away to support the family, Mrs. Xứ fills their home with the quiet rhythms of everyday care. She prepares his meals, listens to his stories and stays by his side, making sure he always comes home to someone waiting for him with love.
Mrs. Xứ understands deeply what it means to raise a child with limited support. She brought up her own daughter as a single mother, offering her all the care and stability she could. Now, years later, she is giving that same devotion to her grandson. Life has not always been easy, but her patience, strength and love have kept three generations closely connected.
Mrs. Xu in front of the current, run-down house.
Their 40-square-metre, one-room house was originally built with support from local authorities and generous members of the community. Over time, however, the home has deteriorated. Rainwater leaks through the roof, and the weakened structure is no longer safe during severe weather.
Whenever storms approach, Mrs. Xứ’s first thought is her grandson’s safety. They often have to seek shelter elsewhere, uncertain about what they will find when they return. Each storm leaves the house a little more damaged and adds to her worry about protecting the child in her care.
The house’s condition worsen each day with more cracks and weakened wall structure.
Soon, that worry will begin to ease.
With support from Habitat for Humanity Vietnam and dedicated volunteers, Mrs. Xứ and her grandson will receive a new home designed to meet their everyday needs through the Vietnam Special Build 2026 program. There will be a strong roof above them, secure walls around them and enough space to live, learn and grow together. When heavy rain arrives, they will be able to remain safely at home, surrounded by the familiar comfort of one another.
For Mrs. Xứ, the new house will mean far more than bricks and walls. It will be a peaceful place where she can continue caring for her grandson, knowing he is safe. After spending so much of her life creating a sense of home for others, she will finally have a home strong enough to hold the love she has always given.
