A Mother’s Strength, A Daughter’s Hope
Family Mai Yen Phuong
Before receiving support from the Aquitara Fund through the An Vui Mart model, the life of Mai Yến Phượng, a victim of Agent Orange, was marked by long days of hardship and dependency. Born with congenital hydrocephalus and completely blind in both eyes, Ms. Phượng is unable to care for herself. All daily activities depend on her elderly mother and the family of her younger sister.
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Despite her advanced age and declining health, her mother continued to shoulder this responsibility while running a small grocery stall in front of their home, her only source of income to support her daughter. The shop operated under extremely precarious conditions. Goods were purchased on credit from relatives and suppliers and paid for only after being sold, which meant the family could not stock many items or offer a diverse selection.​
"Born with congenital hydrocephalus and completely blind in both eyes, Ms. Phượng is unable to care for herself."
​Each year, the Association of Agent Orange Victims provided the mother with a small, interest-free loan to help restock the shop. However, the amount was minimal and only sufficient to purchase a few basic items such as small snack packs, sugar, seasoning powder, or sweets for children. As a result, the shop lacked variety and struggled to attract customers, relying mainly on a few regulars who visited out of compassion. Their support provided just enough income to help cover medical expenses and daily necessities for Phượng.
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Members of Phượng’s younger sister’s family work informal jobs with unstable incomes, yet they do their
best to take turns assisting the mother in caring for Phượng whenever needed. Despite the constant challenges, the family has always hoped that Phượng could live in better conditions, with less hardship and less dependence on a mother who has already given so much
​What the elderly mother wished for most was a little more capital, just enough to expand the grocery shop. With more stock and a wider range of products, the shop could attract more customers, generate more stable income, and allow her to care for Phượng more. adequately during her later years.
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​In the midst of these compounded difficulties, the support from the Aquitara Fund did more than improve a livelihood. It brought renewed hope to both mother and daughter, easing the weight of daily life and giving the elderly mother renewed strength to continue caring for her vulnerable child.
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Today, after more than four months of operation, An Vui Mart – Nhịp Cầu Nhân Ái has enabled Ms. Kiêm to earn a daily income to cover household expenses. She no longer worries about access to capital and is now able to stock a wider and more diverse range of products to meet local needs, bringing greater stability and dignity to the family’s life.
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