Over the past 15 years, the Da Nang-based Hy Vong (Hope) Village, a shelter for poor, disabled and orphaned children from Da Nang and other central regional localities, has offered vocational training courses for the hearing-impaired.

A trainee from Hoi An learning how to make greeting cards

Hundreds of the disadvantaged children being cared for at the village have attended in such courses on embroidery, painting, greeting card making, cooking, computer repairs and carpentry. 

Each of such classes consists children in different age groups and at different levels of perception of ability.

In reality, it usually takes up to 2 months for some trainees to finish their card making courses, whilst others spend nearly one year.

Such tougher crafts as carpentry and embroidery, trainees take the trouble to complete their courses which last for up to 4 years.

Meaningful vocational training courses aim to create a firm foundation for these disadvantaged children to seek suitable jobs to support themselves after they leave this shelter. 

These courses’ trainers have always showed their high sense of responsibility and enthusiasm with their honourable work. Despite their hardship, the teachers said they feel very happy to see their trainees earn their livings with their stable jobs after finishing their training courses.

To date, a total of 150 hearing impaired children have ‘graduated’ from the courses. Encouragingly, 90% of the total ‘graduates’ have found their jobs suitable with their abilities.

Amongst the beneficiaries is Nguyen Thi Thuy, who is running her own painting studio at her hometown in Quang Ngai Province.

Another one, Luong Le Thang from the same province, who finished his courses on fine arts and computer science, now feels very happy with his marriage life full of happiness. Especially, Thang is operating his private business offering advertising and design services.

The man plans to offer free-of-charge courses for others with disabilities. This good deed aims to express his deep gratitude to the village’s staff for their wholehearted care which helped him and others in the same situation as him to confidently integrate into the community.

About 10 ‘graduates’ now work for the renowned Kim Bong carpentry village in Quang Nam Province’s Hoi An City, whilst 20 others work as embroiderers at souvenir shops in this tourist-favoutite locality.

In Da Nang alone, a large number of children work for bakeshops and store selling tourism products.