Overcoming adversity

Mr. Ba Thom with the bonsai pots he made himself. Photo: DUY KHOI

Mr. Ba Thom's house is in a small alley near Rach Mieu Trang bridge on Highway 91B, in Thoi An area, Thoi An Dong ward, Can Tho city. Having the opportunity to visit him, we were moved when we saw a man nearly 70 years old, with one leg amputated, sitting and making bonsai pots out of cement. Mr. Ba Thom enthusiastically introduced that this was a new job, which he had been doing for the past few months, helping him earn some extra money. Seeing him sitting in a wheelchair, then sitting on the ground, struggling to mix the glue, bend the rim, pour the mold... to make bonsai pots, we could feel his determination.

Mr. Ba Thom said that sitting at home doing nothing was boring, and he was always short of money, so he went online to learn how to make cement bonsai pots. He ordered a mold and practiced, and after a few failures, he became proficient. The bonsai pots have beautiful patterns and calligraphy, and after pouring, he also painted and drew them very attractively. "Because I can't walk, on average, I can make 2 pots a day, and after deducting expenses, I still earn tens of thousands of dong," Mr. Ba Thom shared. Each bonsai pot has a mouth diameter of 40cm and a height of 22cm, and he sells it for only 100,000 dong, much cheaper than the market price, but the buyers come to his house to pick it up and transport it because he cannot support them. Sympathizing with the determination and efforts of the elderly disabled man, neighbors and relatives also come to support him, helping him have money to cover his living expenses.

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Mr. Ba Thom's real name is Nguyen Hoang Thom, 69 years old, used to be a amateur musician in Can Tho city and a key member of the art movement in Thoi An Dong ward. Mr. Ba Thom participated in many art clubs, and had the merit of training many young talents for amateur music. At one point, he even opened a amateur music club at home, gathering many close friends and stirring up the local movement. But then 10 years ago, after a traffic accident, he had to amputate a part of his right leg, about 20cm below the knee. Overcoming his misfortune, Mr. Ba Thom still got up, wore a prosthetic leg to practice walking, and then he continued to perform amateur music, play music for ceremonies and funerals everywhere. People respected his talent and loved his willpower, so they wholeheartedly supported him, helping Mr. Ba through his difficult life.

The misfortune did not stop there, about 4 years ago, his leg suffered from a blood vessel blockage causing necrosis, and had to be amputated up to near the hip joint. So Mr. Ba Thom could not go to music, music ceremonies or funerals, he could only stay at home to help his family with gardening, weeding... In the past few months, thanks to his new job of making bonsai pots, Mr. Ba Thom was happier and more optimistic. He said: "I do not think it is unfortunate, but a challenge in life that I have to overcome. I am also happy because I have a family, many people who love me." Mr. Ba Thom mentioned and did not forget to thank Ms. Tran Ngoc Nga, former Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho City, and other kind-hearted people, who have accompanied him on his journey to overcome life's adversities.

On the wall of Mr. Ba's house, there were still hanging high several guitars and zithers... Feeling sad, he would take down his guitars and play a few songs for fun, to ease his longing.

What he wishes now is simply that the bonsai pots are sold to many buyers, so that he has more motivation to continue working and earn a profit to cover his living expenses. His wish is small but for Mr. Ba Thom, it is happiness!

DANG HUYNH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/vuot-len-nghich-canh-a192199.html