From the very beginning of his life, Duy Thai grew up without the presence of both his father and mother. Raised by his grandparents and aunt in a small mountain village in Quang Ngai Province, his family relied on farming for a living and often struggled to make ends meet.
Living with a congenital heart defect from an early age, Thai suffered from malnutrition and was much smaller and weaker than other children his age. As his condition worsened, frequent breathing difficulties and fainting spells forced him to leave school after second grade. Although surgery was urgently needed, the cost remained far beyond what his family could afford.
A turning point came on a rainy day in January when Thai attended a free Congenital Heart Defects Screening program organized by Vietnam Children’s Fund Social Enterprise. Despite heavy rain, landslides, and difficult road conditions, the medical team traveled long distances to reach children in remote communities.
Following the screening, Thai was diagnosed as needing urgent treatment. With support from the Quang Ngai Provincial Children’s Protection Fund, his case was connected to Vietnam Children’s Fund Social Enterprise’s Scar Of Life program and received surgical funding from Vietnam Technical Illustrations Company Limited. After a successful operation, Thai returned home to his grandparents with a healthier heart and something he had been missing for far too long – the chance to continue his education and enjoy the childhood that illness had interrupted.
Vietnam Children’s Fund Social Enterprise extends our heartfelt gratitude to Vietnam Technical Illustrations Company Limited for supporting Thai’s healing journey. In addition to funding his surgery, Vietnam Technical Illustrations Company Limited representatives visited Thai and his family, bringing thoughtful gifts and sharing in the joy of his recovery alongside his grandparents and aunt.
Today, Thai is one step closer to returning to school, pursuing his dreams, and embracing a brighter future.
