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Toronto, 15 Dec 2003
Dear all…
I have just received several emails from Ngoc, Thu and Sr Nhu Minh. These individuals are from the Hue hospital. These emails have informed me about the condition of many burned children from this hospital. I will share with you three of the most severe cases.
Case 1: Duong Cong Tam is a six year old boy in grade one and is very dedicated to his schoolwork. On that particular day Tam came home from school by himself as usual. He lit his oil lamp as there is no electricity in his village. When refilling his lamp the oil caught on fire causing him and everything around him to catch on fire. As he is so young and was by himself he did not know what to do and could not get help. As a result he now has severe burns all over his body. Abc has been treated for four months. His parents have borrowed all that they can and have sold all that they can, including the buffalo, which is a necessity to their lives. There are seven members in the family. The three oldest children farm, the three youngest go to school and now one is very seriously injured.
Case 2: Tran Thong: The parents were out in the field farming and the three children were at home alone. For unknown reasons, the house caught on fire. The oldest boy of eight years old was able to get out. The second oldest of six years old was not able to make it in time and ended up seriously burned. The youngest of four years old was not able to escape and was burned alive. The family was able to raise 6 million dongs from the youngest childs funeral, received 5 million from a charity program for the poor and borrowed 11 million from the hospital. Now they are out of options and the hospital will send the six year old home if they do not come up with some money.
Case 3: Truong Quoc Binh: The parents were out in the field farming; two children were at home alone and one child was at school. The children at home were playing around an oil stove. The whole left side of the three year old was severely burned. Every time the hospital sends the father to get medication he must beg and borrow money from people.
There are countless cases such as the ones previously mentioned. I will inform you of these at a later time. Now we hope you can open your hearts and help the families make it through these tragic events.
Thank you for your patience.
Dieu Lien
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