Da Nang now has a total of more than 5,000 Agent Orange (AO) victims, around 1,400 of whom are disabled children. Many of them have made their ceaseless efforts to overcome their difficulties and destinies to become useful citizens.

Hieu (left) and Phuong (right) are bright examples in overcoming their destinies

Two siblings Nguyen Ngoc Phuong and Nguyen Thi Hieu, both living in Lien Chieu District’s Hoa Minh Ward, are typical examples.

The 38-year-old brother is 0.95cm tall and weighs 20kg, whilst his 30-year-old sister is 0.90cm tall and weighs 25kg. Their parents are poor war invalids in Que An Commune in Quang Nam Province’s Que Son District.

In attempting to overcome her inferiority complex, Hieu graduated with an excellent bachelor degree in Information Technology from the Dong A University in 2013. However, she has yet to be recruited by any companies or organisations due to her anomalous physical appearance. 

Hieu had to earn only a little money from embroidery. Since 2015, she has sold newspapers at the intersection of Yen The and Nguyen Dinh Tu streets in Cam Le District’s Hoa An Ward.

Being a self-motivated and agile person, Phuong learned how to repair watches and electronic products, and make incense sticks.

Since 2008, he has worked for the Da Nang Association of AO Victims (DAVA) as a teacher. He is helping AO children who are cared for at the Shelter No1 for AO-affected children on Nguyen Van Hue to learn how to make incense sticks.

DAVA’s Vice Chairman Tra Thanh Lanh remarked that the incense sticks are usually sold for the city's Funeral Home and local residents. A part of money collected from the sales is given to incense makers, whilst the remainder goes to the centre’s fund for assisting AO children there monthly.

After their working hours, Phuong and another brother together repair electronic products. Thanks to their professional skills, their repairing shop is always crowded with customers. In 2015, Phuong bought a new house in Hoa Minh Ward for his 2 siblings. In addition, he is living with his nephew and covering all his tuition fees.     

Despite many difficulties in their lives, Phuong and Hieu always try their best to become useful citizens.