A Lifetime of Resilience
Family Cao Xuan Dao
Before receiving support from the Aquitara Fund through the An Vui Mart model, the life of Cao Xuân Đào, a victim of Agent Orange and a former resistance fighter, was marked by persistent hardship. In his later years, his health has significantly declined due to the long-term effects of war. He and his wife rely on each other while running a small grocery stall in front of their home, which serves as their main source of income.
Each day, the couple takes turns tending the shop. With advanced age and limited physical strength, this has become almost the only work they are still able to do. However, due to severe financial constraints, they lacked the capital needed to stock sufficient goods. The shop therefore carried only a few basic essentials, resulting in slow sales and unstable income.
"In his later years, his health has significantly declined due to the long-term effects of war."
As difficulties accumulated, there were times when passers-by took advantage of the couple’s kindness and frailty, leaving with goods without paying. On such occasions, Mr. Đào could only sigh quietly, while his wife, though deeply distressed, felt powerless to intervene.
The shop itself was also poorly organised. With weakening eyesight and memory declining with age, locating items and serving customers often took time, leading to confusion between products. The lack of an organised layout made an already challenging livelihood even more exhausting and inefficient.
In these circumstances, the hope of running a more stable, well-organised shop with adequate stock felt far beyond their reach. This is precisely why the support from the Aquitara Fund has been so meaningful, opening a new source of hope for a low-income family of war victims struggling with everyday hardship.
Today, after more than four months of participation in the An Vui Mart – Nhịp Cầu Nhân Ái model, the couple no longer worries about access to working capital. Their shop now carries a wider range of essential products, better serving the daily needs of the surrounding community and bringing greater stability to their lives.
_JPG.jpg)
