Small Joys Around a Mother’s Table

Evenings in B.T. Nở’s small home in Cam Le are filled with conversation. Her daughters, K. Bang and K. Doan, and their younger brother, K. Thien, sit beside her, helping stuff soft toys while sharing stories from school. As the toys take shape, laughter travels around the table.

Children help their mother, Ms. Nở, stuff plush toys to support the family’s livelihood

“Having the children beside me, helping out, really keeps me going,” Ms. Nở shares.

Since her husband died in a workplace accident in 2019, B.T. Nở has been raising their three children on her own. She sells stuffed animals, packs orders, makes deliveries, and finds customers online. When she can, she takes on extra work to cover the family’s expenses. The children help with everyday tasks, from preparing dinner to sweeping the floor. Their care for her is something she treasures.

In 2024, Children of Vietnam (COV) began supporting her family through its Program Empowering Foundations for Women & their Children (EFFWC) program for single mothers and their children. With $460 in livelihood support, B.T. Nở could purchase more stock for her stuffed animal business, helping make the work she relies on more stable.

Ms. Nở delivers the stuffed animals she has filled to local toy shops.

The support also gives Ms. Nở opportunities to care for herself. She receives regular women’s health checkups and attends life skills workshops, where she can learn and build confidence. A bed, household essentials, and gifts for Tet have helped meet the family’s needs throughout the year.

For her children, scholarships at the start of the school year help ease education costs. Desks, chairs, and lamps support their learning at home, while bicycles make getting to school easier.

K. Bang (older sister) helps K. Doan learn to ride a bicycle provided by COV.

More recently, COV helped repair the family’s home to better protect Ms. Nở and her children during the rainy and storm season. Their home is now brighter and more comfortable, with a safer space for the four of them to study, work, and spend time together.

“Having the house repaired means I can worry a little less when heavy rains come. Knowing my children and I have a safer place to stay brings me peace of mind.” - Ms. Nở shared

Through EFWC, Ms. Nở has also found time for herself and the company of women who understand her experiences. Group activities offer a chance to step away from daily responsibilities, relax, and enjoy being with friends. She can share what is on her mind, listen to others, and find comfort in their shared experiences.

“I felt so happy and less stressed,” she shared after attending COV’s Happy Day on May 25, 2025. For Ms. Nở, the gathering was also an opportunity to take part in activities and connect with other women in similar circumstances.

COV’s support reaches different parts of the family’s life: Ms. Nở’s business and health, her children’s education, their home, and her connections with other mothers. Together, these give her practical help with everyday responsibilities and people she can turn to for understanding.

Back at home, there are still toys to finish and stories from school to hear. Watching her children grow remains Ms. Nở’s daily source of joy and motivation.

Children help their mom, Ms. Nở, around the house.

“Seeing them grow each day makes me happy and makes me want to do even more for them.”

Help more mothers like Ms. No build a safer, more stable life for their children, with support to care for themselves, too.