This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-49370648
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Vietnamese boy found in suitcase thanks English people | Vietnamese boy found in suitcase thanks English people |
(about 8 hours later) | |
A teenage victim of people smuggling found squashed in a suitcase has written a thank you letter to English people. | A teenage victim of people smuggling found squashed in a suitcase has written a thank you letter to English people. |
Phong, originally from Vietnam, was in a life-threatening condition when he was found stowed in the back of a car in Dover last year. | Phong, originally from Vietnam, was in a life-threatening condition when he was found stowed in the back of a car in Dover last year. |
The 16-year-old spent six days in hospital. His smuggler Andrei Iancu, from Romania, was jailed for 18 months. | The 16-year-old spent six days in hospital. His smuggler Andrei Iancu, from Romania, was jailed for 18 months. |
In his thank you letter Phong said he never believed he would be loved. | In his thank you letter Phong said he never believed he would be loved. |
He said he woke up in hospital scared and in pain but "kind people" smiled at him and gave him biscuits, oranges and water. | He said he woke up in hospital scared and in pain but "kind people" smiled at him and gave him biscuits, oranges and water. |
Phong, now 17, has since been fostered by a family in Ashford, Kent, through the county's social services. He is now learning English and Maths. | Phong, now 17, has since been fostered by a family in Ashford, Kent, through the county's social services. He is now learning English and Maths. |
His letter read: "Dear England, I'm writing a letter to tell you what a difference you have made to my life. You have saved my life. You have given me a family and a home." | His letter read: "Dear England, I'm writing a letter to tell you what a difference you have made to my life. You have saved my life. You have given me a family and a home." |
He wrote: "Now I have a mum, brother, sister, grandad. At first I couldn't speak English very well. We practiced every day. | He wrote: "Now I have a mum, brother, sister, grandad. At first I couldn't speak English very well. We practiced every day. |
"Thank you for finding me, making me better in hospital. Thank you for giving me a family. | "Thank you for finding me, making me better in hospital. Thank you for giving me a family. |
"I never believed I would be loved. There is now a big rainbow in my life instead of darkness." | "I never believed I would be loved. There is now a big rainbow in my life instead of darkness." |
Phong's foster carer Christine Burge said: "Phong is an incredible young man who has grown so much since he arrived. He makes me very proud every day. | |
"He really is the most caring and determined boy I have ever met." | "He really is the most caring and determined boy I have ever met." |
Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. |
Previous version
1
Next version