In 2023, 11-year-old Lam Thanh Tam unfortunately lost his beloved mother. Her father left when he was young, making Tam not know what father-son love is, but now, he has lost his motherly love. Tam's relatives also live in poverty, to raise a child is not such an easy thing. In a helpless situation, fortunately, Mr. Son, Tam's uncle, decided to adopt him.
Uncle Son is 59 years old this year. He also lives an elderly life, his wife passed away a long time ago, and his children work far away and cannot make financial support. Uncle Son’s job is as a construction assistant, sometimes as a porter. In recent years, he has gotten older and had diabetes, so his health is no longer the same as before. Every day was a run for food, but out of pity for Tam's situation, Uncle Son took care of him, becoming the spiritual pillar and source of warmth for the little boy.
Touched by the situation of family, neighbors and local people wholeheartedly supported Tam and Uncle Son to have an easier life. Tam's tuition was supported by benefactors, the Red Cross supported Uncle Son for medical examinations, teachers at school helped Tam get eye exams and glasses measurements,...
2 years ago, Tam started showing signs of poor vision. Thinking that Tam was just normal nearsightedness, he was helped to wear nearsighted glasses. But unfortunately, Tam's eyesight has gradually become worse and worse. He wears glasses but still cannot see clearly. Feeling sorry for Tam, the teacher helped take him to the hospital for an eye examination. During Tam's first 11 years of life, this was the second time he received bad news. Tam's eyes have cataracts, which if not treated promptly will lead to blindness. The left eye was in severe condition while the right eye was in a milder condition. Looking everywhere, Duong Son could not find the cost for Tam's eye surgery.
In a misfortune, there was a blessing, philanthropists introduced Tam's case to the Children of Vietnam Charitable Fund. On January 25th 2024, Tam had phaco surgery in his left eye. One day after surgery, although he could not see clearly yet, Tam said he could see brighter than before. This summer, Tam will continue to receive treatment for his right eye and will then receive regular eye examinations. For Lam Thanh Tam, the first stages in his life were not as good as the others, but fortunately with the help of relatives and the community, Tam was guided and helped to overcome challenges and have a bright future.