Dear Prof. Kenneth Herrmann,

First of all, I wish you and your family great health.

With reference to the article in Police newspaper, published on May 27th, 2004, I write this letter to share with you my story. I am now in my sixties. As do other women, I only hope to be healthy and live happily with my children. However, life is so harsh; it did not happen as I expected. In 1970, I got married to a soldier. I was very happy when I became pregnant. Our expected child was terribly deformed; it died right after being born. In 1973, I got pregnant again. I was very worried because of the obsession of the first one. We got crazily happy when my child was a healthy and lovely boy. We named him Tran Si Hung. Our happiness did not last for long, yet. We found out that my only child had an incurable disease. Both his arms and legs are easy to break down, then they deformed and curled up. Until 11 years old his arms and legs were broken 15 times. He now is unable to walk, just drag himself on the ground or sit on wheelchair. He was said to have been contaminated with dioxin passed from his father. My heart was broken seeing my son dragging himself day by day. I wonder how he will live if we die one day. It was lucky enough to help him get married. My grand child was born in our happiness. However, the tragedy did not end here. My grandchild also developed the same disease as her father. Now she is four years old, but she looks as if she were a one-year-old child. Her arms and legs have been broken four times and she has gone to the hospital nine times. We spend so much money on her, but it doesn’t help.

The war ended almost thirty years ago, but its consequences are persistent. It left the worst effects on my children and the next generations. It was extremely hard in the war, but now I have to take disastrous consequences. I wonder how much I can try in the future and how my children's lives would be? It's such a big question that I can not find a solution. I believe that we have to do something to share with unlucky people to help them face the difficulties.

That is the reason why I write this letter. I hope for sympathy, help and concern, especially yours.

I am looking forward to your soon reply. I wish you health and success.

Nguyen Thi Ly
338 Le Thanh Nghi Street, Le Thanh Nghi ward
Hai Duong City, Hai Duong province.
Tel: 0320861797.

PS: I enclose the photograph of my husband, my son and grandchild.

trans. Nguyen Thi My Hoa