A CALL FOR A HELP

When HSCV went to the community centre in Bac Giang province, about 70 kilometres from Ha Noi (about 42 miles), we met Nguyen Thi Hang, a poor handicapped girl. Hang was born in 1983 with Scoliosis - curvature of the spine. She cannot move by herself and her arms are too weak - so she cannot raise her body by herself to sit up. Whenever she wants to sit up or move, she needs help from family or friends.

Hang's father suffered from the effects of Agent Orange (dioxin poisoning) ever since the war. He could not work or even take care of himself. When it seemed the family's stituation couldn't get worse, Hang's father killed himself. He felt himself to be too much of a burden on his wife's shoulder. Her mother is the only bread-winner of the family. At present, Hang's mother has a menial job in a garment factory removing loose threads from clothing. She only ears $1 per day.

Hang finished primary school but then decided not to continue her education in order to try to help make ends meet for her mother. Despite her handicap, Hang alwasys finds oppotunities to earn some money to help support her mother and herself. She used to belong to the Passion Art Team from Hai Duong province. She could write poems and read them at the shows. However, she did not earn much from this. Besides, a life of travelling to earn money is so difficult for a young woman in her physical condition. It was also hard to leave her mother living alone in the countryside while she travelled with the Passion Art Team. So, after a short time in Ho Chi Minh City, Hang came back home.

Hang's body is weak, yet her mind is very sharp. She always longs to study even while working and earning a little money to support herself and her mother. When there are many people goingto pagoda after Tet, Hang often sells them incence, flowers, cigarrettes, balloons and tourist souvenirs to earn money. Yet it is only a seasonal job and not much income.

Hang's secret wish is to have an electronic wheelchair, which can help her move from place to place. Then she could study Photoshop and work at a studio. She could also cover more distance and sell lottery tickets or other things, earning more money - which could ease the burden on her elderly mother.

One of Hang's friends was successful in making eletronic wheelchairs which would be really useful and suitable for someone like Hang. It costs 8 million Vietnam Dongs (about $400) for such an electric wheelchair purchased in her local area. Needless to say, that amount if meney is far beyond the affordability of Hang and her mother.

HSCV hopes to help Hang buy an eletric wheelchair as soon as possible. Such a device will definitely bring her opportunities to better her life.

If you would like to help this young woman, please mail whatever you can give to:

Nguyen Thi Hang electric wheelchair
c/o: HSCV
2956 Spring Lake Road
Prior Lake, MN 55372 USA

Blogged by Pham Quynh Trang - HSCV member