This is a story about disabled people who overcame their disabilities to make their dreams come true. Despite many difficulties, they have still stepped forward with belief and self-reliance.
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Disabled people always believe in the concern from Party and State.
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Initiator
What Nguyen Tran Khiem, a disabled man living in Tan Quang hamlet, has done may be a typical example for many people. He is now in charge of an agency for disabled people called Niem tin (The Belief).
He started to go to school when he was 10 and tried his utmost to finish his high school graduation exam even though he knew that he almost had no chance to attend university entrance exam.
It took Khiem 7 years to seek opportunities to sit entrance exams but he failed. Only when he was over 30 was he permitted to join an entrance exam and passed into Da Nang College of Technology.
Graduating from the college, Khiem again spent 5 years applying for jobs. Despite his paralyzed legs, he travelled many companies nationwide with the hope of finding a suitable job.
After 5 years of hopeless, Khiem returned home and earn his living by working as a tutor. In addition, he opened an electronics store to repair parts, equipment and household electrical appliances. His store then became a workshop, generating jobs for other disabled people.
Alongside this, Khiem also teaches computing skills to poor people and orphans.
The Fund in Support of Binh Dinh Handicapped and Orphans set up its affiliate called Niem tin in 2007 and Khiem was assigned to be the agency’s head. At present, the agency has attracted 125 disabled people mainly living in Van Canh district and some communes in Tuy Phuoc.
Change their fate
Joining the agency for disabled people, many were happy when sharing everything with the others. They feel they are still useful and, thus, their fate has been changed since then.
Dao Thi Le Diem, one of its members, for example, is now able to go out and play with her friends. Her change is a big surprise for her relatives and neighbors. She is now 20 but the local residents seldom saw her outside one year ago as she felt very inferior among the others. In 2009, she joined the Niem tin agency.
Similarly, some girls with disabilities had experienced many difficulties before they joined the community for disabled people. They helped Diem realize her inspiration with their self-reliance and she won herself. Diem now is the leader of a computing group.
Many disabled people, particularly girls, were very shy before joining the agency but everything is different now. They are always ready to participate in art performances, sport event, and cultural exchanges.
The agency also offers employment opportunities to its members. It established four groups of 10 members providing different services and products for people. They are now able to earn their living through such services.
Unlimited dreams
Initially, the agency didn’t have enough money to buy essential facilities. Khiem had to take out a loan at that time. He also mobilized any sponsors to financially support the agency. His workshop had no client in the first six months, making all become disappointed.
However, Khiem encouraged all members to go to each house to ask for work. The local residents gradually believed in their capacity and enthusiasm; thus, the workshop has attracted more and more clients. “When overcoming their inferiority complex, disabled people will very respect themselves,” Khiem said.
It is almost impossible to call for the donation from benefactors in Van Canh district. The expense of the agency, hence, mainly depends on its members’ relatives, but that is not enough.
Due to the financial issue, the agency is not able to admit more members even though there are now 300 disabled people registering to join.
“I learnt by heart their words and wishes and I hope the agency will be sufficient to receive more disabled people,” he added.
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