A casual chat with the manager of HSCV made me decide to take part in the “Free Wheelchair mission” programme.
At 6.30am in the morning, we set off on our mission to Phu Ly. My grandmother recounted her memories of her hometown as a place where people were poor and miserable.
Contrary to her memories, the villagers in Phu Ly were friendly and joyous. They welcomed us with their sincere and radiant smiles that instantaneously warmed our hearts. I chatted with a young boy, Tran who looked at me with his friendly and soulful eyes. “What is your dream?” I asked him. His reply was short but firm, “I want to be a photographer.” Residing in Dong Ly with his family, Tan’s parents own a small camera shop and shared the same passion in photography.
Tran was a studious boy and never failed to go to school daily. At school, he studied hard and played alongside with his friends. In the afternoon, he would tag along with his father around the village for his photographic assignments.
Fate played a cruel trick on this young 12-year-old boy. A severe cold snowballed to brain infection (encephalitis) and paralysis, leaving his side of his body completely dysfunctional. Tan’s paralyzed legs prevented him from going to school. His dream of becoming a photographer shattered and his wonderful childhood lost.
The strong boy did not shed a tear, but the deep sadness in his eyes was intense and heart-wretching when he confided in me about his medical condition.
“I would really like to go back to school to study but I cannot do it anymore. Whenever I try to study, I get a very unbearable headache that causes extreme pain,” shared the young boy.
Tran has been confined within the four walls of his home since his illness and handicap. The youngest in the family, Tran’s doting parents and caring siblings took great care of him. The matured boy wished that he could help his parents and relieve his relatives of their obligations to take care of him, but there is little he could do.
The wheelchair is a wish come true for Tran. Tran is determined to pursue his passion in photography despite his handicap.
Tran can now move around at ease in his home and do things independently. He can even use his right hand to work and take photographs
With sparkling eyes, he said, “From now on, when my father is away from home, I can help him take photographs. I can even go into the darkroom with my father and go out of the house by myself.”=The burning flame of faith and hope in his eyes was evident.
This new wheelchair has transformed Tran’s life and rekindled the passion in photography for the young boy. The best is yet to come.
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