A brighter future for the most underpriviledged

At REACH, each year we meet hundreds of students whose stories add another convincing reason why we are doing our work. It is not merely because we are going to change someone's life, but their perspective towards life inspires us.

Viet

15 years old, Viet decided to quit school and move to Hanoi, working at construction site to earn some money. Viet wanted to help his poor family and to escape from his wine-addicted father, who usually scolded and beat his wife and children. At the age one is supposed to go to school, Viet had to spend sleepless night at construction site working, no day-off. When Viet started studying at REACH, his sister was sent to hospital because of convulsive fit. At that time, Viet study at day time and in the evening, he went to the hospital to look after his sister. Viet skipt breakfast and dinner just to save some money for his sister's hospitalization. However, Viet never failed to perform at his best at school. "Never take your disadvantaged background as an excuse to stand still. You need to keep moving forward."

Trung

21 years old, Trung left his small town and came to Hanoi. For 21 years Trung did not understand why his biological-parents decided to give him up when he was just 5 months old. Perhaps they were too poor. Perhaps they had no choice. But for whatever the reason, Trung feels no animosity towards his biological parents. He is grateful for the unconditional love and care of his adoptive mother, who is now 70 years old.

What we have found in common in Viet, Trung and many other REACH students is their positive thinking. Dispite their disadvantages, they consider themselves lucky to receive a helping hand and to have a chance to learn and get a job. They have big dream for the family and they know they need to try hard and fight hard for it. Talking with these young people, their stories, combined with their positivity, would make anyone feel ashamed for any complaints or depressing thoughts they have ever had.

That is the reason why we at REACH usually find ourselves motivated.

Viet and Trung are two among many impactful stories of strong will and hope. And the good thing at REACH is that those stories all take a good turn.

Viet is now working as housekeeper at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel.Trung is sales person for Suntory Pepsico Vietnam. And they are still working hard and keep trying.

Links:

• REACH wins Project Inspire 2014

Hairdressing class is a special class at REACH Hanoi center. There is no male member in the class. Hairdressing students are normally the most standout group because they have fashionable hair styles and beautiful make-up. But behind that flashy look, there are stories they want to hide.

Two girls are victims of human trafficking. Their trust in people made them have to spent gloomy days over the border. Their hope for the future once disappeared. And there are also people, because of hope, deciding to make an expensive trade-off – putting aside their dignity and becoming industrial sex workers.

Talking with those young women, one can realize how hard they have been trying to bury the pain in the past and to create a new life. This time, it will be an actual job – not a false promise or a work that the society does not recognize.

A few days before their graduation, some hairdressing students have found a job, some plan to work in the hair salons introduced by REACH so that they can sharpen their skills. One girl shared her intention of opening a small hair salon in her hometown. “I feel quite confident with my skills. I can do head massage, hair dying, hair curling, hair straightening. However, I need to practice hair cutting more.” – said one hairdressing student. “After 3.5 months studying here, I have the confidence that I can find a job”.

 “The training program is quite useful. My teacher is very enthusiastic. Other teachers at REACH have helped and showed much love to us.”