Fundraising for the family of Sang Ly Thi

Pang, a 21-year-old woman, grieves for her husband Sang, who tragically passed away at the age of 26 when he was struck by a drunk driver. Pang and her two children, Sing, who is 2 years old, and Khan, who is 3 months old, require our assistance in their time of tragedy. The Ly Thi family resides in the village of Lao Chai, Vietnam; they belong to the Hmong ethnic group, and their economic situation is precarious. On October 9, 2023, Sang was on his way home from work when he was hit by a motorcyclist driven by a 17-year-old who was intoxicated and speeding. Sang sustained a severe head injury, which resulted in his passing on October 11, two days later. What is most surprising is that the legal protocol only mandated the responsible party to cover the cost of the coffin and purchase a buffalo to provide for the attendees at the funeral, effectively absolving them of their crimes. Furthermore, it is infuriating to learn that the driver's family paid a significant bribe to authorities to shield their son from facing consequences for his actions. It angers us that the family of the young man accountable for Sang's death did not utilize that money to assist a young woman who became a widow at 21 with two children to support and lacking even the most basic means of subsistence.

I reached SaPa, a village situated in the northern mountains of Vietnam, through Ha, Sang's sister, the young man who passed away. Ha works as a tour guide in Lao Chai Village and possesses an admirable social commitment. She reinvests the modest income she earns as a tour guide in a volunteer initiative to teach English to people in her community, enabling them to become tour guides in the Sapa region, just like her. The classes are predominantly attended by young mothers who are eager to contribute to their households. Ha herself spent her childhood laboring on the streets, selling crafts, and learning English from tourists. In Hmong culture, women cannot inherit land, so Sang's house (which he inherited after his father's death when he was 12) does not legally belong to his widow or his mother but rather to his 2-year-old son. As a result, the two sons cannot move out from the property because, if they do, any male relative can lay claim to the house as their own. What is "expected" in the community is for Pang to remarry quickly, but doing so would necessitate her separating from her children to prevent them from losing the only possession they have: a house constructed over 70 years ago with wooden plank walls and ineffective fabric coverings that attempt to shield against the mountain wind's cold, a cement floor, and insufficient conditions to endure the approaching winter. If Pang remarries, she would be compelled to entrust her children to the care of her mother and sister-in-law, who themselves lack the minimum resources. Pang has vehemently rejected this expectation; she loves her children and asserts that she will never abandon them. Without her son's earnings, Sang's 65-year-old mother, who has diligently supported her five children as a single mother, and Pang herself will be compelled to toil on the streets, hoping to sell bags, purses, and scarves to visiting tourists.

 We are making this appeal on behalf of Pang and her children. We aspire to a brighter future for a 21-year-old woman with teary, reflective eyes who repeatedly says, "My husband was one of the few good men here; he loved me and adored our children, he didn't drink, he cooked with me, and together we cared for the children. That's why I don't want another husband, and I won't abandon my babies." Sang was exactly as his wife describes: loving, attentive, responsible, affectionate, and sober – a rare quality to find in these regions where many men meet an untimely end due to alcoholism and alcohol-related incidents. It's a paradox of life that Sang, met his end due to an irresponsible drunk driver.

We implore you for your assistance for this family, and on behalf of the Ly Thi family, we express our gratitude for any donation you can provide. Even a small contribution from you will mean a lot to Pang and her children. The funds collected will be used primarily to ensure the two young boys receive a full education that is only made possible by adequate nourishment and a safe place to live. Help us disseminate this story, and most importantly, assist Pang and her children through your generous donation. Your support can make a difference.

May Sang rest in peace

* update! April 2025

Pang now has a job at a hotel where she makes $6 aud a day- working 10 hours with one day off. Help is still urgently needed