Tran Thi Kim Thu was born in 1984, a healthy baby, the first of three siblings. At 3 years of age she experienced pain in her left leg and high fever. A local medical doctor gave Thu an injection to ease the pain. This injection is believed to be the cause of Thu’s disability as she gradually lost strength in her leg and has stilted left leg growth.
Thu attended Tan Khanh Trung, her local primary school, up to grade 7 but was unable to continue her education due to the family’s inability to pay school fees. In place of further studies she began sewing classes with a local teacher. Sewing was to become Thu’s work and favourite hobby.
Hearing from a family friend that Ho Chi Minh Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Disability in Tan Binh district would pay all costs associated with an operation on her left leg. In 2002 Thu’s parents agreed to this operation as the success rate with other patients was high. This was not the case with Thu. With her left leg shorter than the right she could not wear the heavy orthopaedic shoes provided due to severe leg and back pain.
It was then she heard about the Hoang Tam Sewing Centre in HCMC run by Miss Yen, an extremely capable woman with physical disability. Young adults with disability from rural areas are en
couraged to live, work and learn at this Centre. Thu arrived at Miss Yen’s centre late in 2002 and during her first few months often felt homesick and unhappy. With Miss Yen’s strong support gradually Thu settled into life at Hoang Tam, working hard at her sewing lessons.
With EFD support Hoang Tam now has a well stocked library, a projector, computers and electronic sewing pattern programs. Thu strongly believes it is EFD support that has inspired her, and all former and current students, to study hard and learn new skills, using the library to increase their knowledge and learning. At first when Thu saw the computer and sewing pattern programs she did not believe she could ever use this technology. Now equipped with basic computer skills she has mastered this and finds time to help her fellow students.
Thu has lived and worked at Hoang Tam for seven years, continues to upgrade her sewing skills and enjoys time spent with fellow students. She is proud to be managing the centre’s student group. From the time Thu was able to complete each product to Miss Yen’s satisfaction she has been paid a small allowance per piece. Every dong Thu earns is sent back to her family in the Mekong Delta. This has helped lift the family out of poverty.
Future plans for Thu include an advanced computer course and setting up in Dong Thap her own sewing centre for young adult with disability in Mekong Delta region. Thu has demonstrated it is possible to overcome her disability and is proud of her independence and achievements.
Ds former board member from The Netherlands, Mr. Dennis Ratering, visited Vietnam with a group of 6 dedicated volunteers. It was exciting for them to pay a project visit to one of EFD’s recent projects Hy Vong Binh Thanh School in Binh Thanh district.
