In the morning of a certain day, the ‘Ngoi Nha Nho’ (Small House), located on Tran Van Du, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang, was filled with drawing lovers, but noticeably, all of them are cancer patients living in the city.

A scene of SCI-funded drawing class at the ‘Ngoi Nha Nho’

Such a highly-meaningful free-of-charge drawing class for cancer patients, the first of it city, was organised by the Salt Cancer Initiative (SCI), which is a non-profit organisation focusing on providing information, education, training, and spiritual support for cancer patients in Viet Nam.

SCI’s goals are to support cancer patients across Viet Nam, and convey the message to them in a bid to give them hope and strength which says: “You don’t have to fight cancer alone”.

The drawing class aims at helping hospital-bound cancer patients to keep strong both physically, lifting spirits, and giving hope to conquer their life-threatening disease.

Despite living far away from the Small House, a woman with cancer has still spends her time attending the free drawing class. The woman said she is very happy to attend this free drawing class which is taught by Ms Bui Nguyen Hai Yen, the owner of the Small House.

“This is my first time that I have held such a brush for drawing. I like so much. I don't think I can do so. My drawing teacher is enthusiast in guiding me how to produce such a beautiful drawing” the woman said..

The woman said she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2008. Currently, her health is in stable condition, which makes her glad and confident. Since she joined SCI-funded programmes, her spirit has also lifted up, and she has become more optimistic and active.

In addition to the free drawing classes, SCI has opened its free yoga classes for cancer patients at the Elite Fitness, Vĩnh Trung Plaza , 255-257 Hung Vuog, Thanh Khe District.

This special class is usually enlivened with fun chats and laughter amongst a group of cancer patients of different ages.

SCI-funded free yoga class at the Elite Fitness in progress

As one of the yoga coaches at SCI's free yoga classes, Mr. Le Anh Khoa from Ngu Hanh Son District said he must apply yoga postures which are suitable for cancer patients.

In fact, many cancer patients suffer horrible pain all the time; so, they find it very hard to do any physical exercises.

“They are in pain and their bodies are very weak. That’s why I teach them yoga therapy, with basic exercises of breathing and light moves which help to strengthen their muscles and organs,” Khoa said.

With their great love and deep sympathy for them, Khoa and other instructors enthusiastically and wholeheartedly teach them how to practice yoga poses. In fact, basic movements might seem trivial to the average person, they are major obstacles for those with this life- threatening disease.

After the class ends, despite their physical pains sparked by the serious disease, the trainees exchange their smiles, and say thank-you to kind-hearted ‘teacher’ Khoa for his good deed. All of them show their keen interest in doing yoga with great pleasure.

Many cancer patients, time by time, now also get accustomed to the yoga exercises. They felt very happy with considerable improvements in their health, and their body movements got easier when practicing yoga.

SCI is planning to expand its projects into other Vietnamese localities. “We are looking forward to receiving the support from everyone so as to help more cancer patients in Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole, ”, said Ms Ho Thi Ngoc Thuy, the manager of SCI projects.

By MAI HIEN – Translated by A.T