One such story is that of Mr. Sung A Tung, a single father raising five young children.
Nestled in the mountains of Northwest Vietnam, in the small village of Po Si Ngai, lives the family of Mr. Tung, a H’Mong father struggling against the hardships of life.
Mr. Tung was once the strong pillar of his household, but in 2021 he suffered a stroke that left him unconscious and unable to work. Since then, his memory and cognition have been impaired to the point where he could not even recall the birthdays of his children. Among his five children, one suffers from a chronic lung disease and often requires hospital treatment, further deepening the family’s struggles. Their home stood precariously on the mountainside.
The fragile bamboo walls, damp earthen floor, and broken asbestos-cement roof could not withstand the heavy mountain rains. Water poured in during storms, soaking their belongings and making daily life unbearable. With no toilet, the children had to relieve themselves outdoors, posing serious risks to their health.
Amid these overwhelming difficulties, the family survived thanks to the kindness of relatives and neighbors—the only light of hope in their dark days. Despite the poverty, academic certificates earned by the children still hung proudly on the frail bamboo walls—symbols of their determination and dreams that refused to fade. While Mr. Tung only spoke H’Mong, his children, now staying with cousins, learned to speak Vietnamese and continued their schooling.
Mr. Tung’s children’s academic certificates hung proudly on the frail bamboo walls
Through Tithe funding, Habitat for Humanity Vietnam was able to support Mr. Tung’s family not only with a safe home, but also with stability, dignity, and renewed hope.
Mr. Tung’s newly built house for his children
By the time the project was completed, Mr. Tung had passed away after a long struggle with poor health and the aftermath of his stroke. Yet even in his absence, Habitat takes pride in knowing that his children now have a safe home—one with proper study spaces where they can pursue their dreams for a brighter future.
“Everything feels different — it’s beautiful, clean, and safe. For the first time, I have my very own study corner. I will do my best in school and earn a certificate of merit every year,” shared an orphaned child living with their grandmother in Po Si Ngai Village.
We are grateful that Tithe funding makes it possible to support families like Mr. Tung’s, giving ethnic minority children wings to chase their dreams, and ensuring they grow up with the equity and dignity every child in this world deserves.
