Mrs. Hai and Mr. Nam have 14 children. The eldest child was born in 1989 and the youngest in 2013. Last year, the youngest daughter died of brain disease.

Mr. Nam died in March due to diseases. Hai currently lives with 8 children and a grandchild on a 30sq.m house. Her five children were married and live with their own families.

Hai gave birth to her 14 children, 8 boys and 6 girls, all at home. The two last children were even delivered on the field. Hai cut the umbilical cord for them and took them home. Hai said she was usually busy at work to feed her family thatoften did not realize that she was pregnant until the fetuses were big.

Her eldest daughter recently married for the second time so she left her son with her first husband to Hai, who now has to feed 10 people. Every day, some older children follow their mother to the field or pond to catch fish and shrimp. The others take care of each other at home.

Hai usually returns home at 11am to cook for the kids. She always leaves home for the field at 3 am but she does not look tired at all. The 46-year-old mother chops wood, washes the face and limbs of her children while asking each child that what they did during her absence.

The 13th son named Nhan is only 4 years old. He suffers from eye disease.

This morning Hai earned VND30,000 from selling shrimps so their lunch has only boiled spinach, tofu and several pickled eggplants.

After the lunch, Hai’s eldest son at home – Hoang – lulls his niece to sleep.

After lunch, the kids clean the dishes and the house and take a nap.

Life is hard but Hai does not complain. She said it was her fate and she will take care of her children until the last breath.