Handicapped "artisans" - "Stand up with our own strength"

At Quynh Hoa Charitable Vocational Training Center, the disabled "artisans" are still devoting to finding the light of hope through their "masterpieces" day by day.

Big dreams in a small house

Inside the working area of Quynh Hoa Charitable Vocational Training Center, people with disabilities make artistic products in quilling - a type of handicraft art that involves thin paper strips that are rolled, styled, and glued together to create products such as paintings, greeting cards, small figurines, boxes, etc. Students in the center are of different ages, from young children to middle-aged people. They are from different regions across Vietnam, and they come to the center not only to look for a job but also to find a home where they will be loved and live happily. Although they may have some physical defects, they never let them be an obstacle in the process of bringing beauty to life through quilling products. 

When asked why choosing this kind of art to teach physically challenged students, Mrs. Doan Thi Hoa - the center's founder - told us: “I taught them all possible jobs, but none of them is suitable for the handicapped. Therefore, I chose quilling, because some of them are intellectually disabled, some have hearing and speech disability, some have mobility impairment. So it is the simplest for them to just sit down and try quilling”. 

Students of the center are making quilling (Photo: Quang Anh from Ciboat)

In order to complete a product, they have to co-operate. Each person is responsible for a step in the production process. Despite having experienced the meticulousness and patience required in making these handicrafts, they still have the joy and bright smiles frequently on their faces. They mostly receive their salaries from the sales of these products, and it is believed that they take great pride in their ability to support themselves. Indeed, Quynh Hoa Center has been not only their workplace for earning a living but also a special home with their homies who sympathize and communicate.

The wonderful outcomes

It usually takes several weeks, even months, to complete the products. They are very colorful and lively, and they can be used as souvenirs, presents or decorations for people's houses.

Some goods made from quilling (Photo: Quang Anh from Ciboat, the center's fanpage)

Even with the good vibes and happy memories they share during the process, their ability to complete these handicrafts is still hindered by their struggles and self-deprecating remarks about their infirmities.  When questioned about the impact of their disabilities on these works, Mrs. Hoa stated: “It is an enormous issue. There was a person who worked here for a long time - approximately 10 years - but still was not capable of doing this". Therefore, everytime a type of quilling product is completed, not only she but also the students were really delighted.

Despite the difficulties, students at the center still finish their work beautifully (Photo: Duc Toan from Ciboat)

"Stand up with our own strength"

The path to the future is always filled with challenges. However, these obstacles can be overcome if we know how to "stand up with our own strength" - said by the founder of this center when she stopped us from assisting Phuong Anh who couldn't keep her balance while walking. The "artisans" at Quynh Hoa Charitable Vocational Training Center not only bring values of patience but are also an example of perseverance, and determination in life. With faith and resilience, they will continue to move forward, overcome all obstacles and achieve great success in the future. They have taught us a lesson of striving to be the best versions of ourselves, no matter what obstacles we may face along the way.

(Video: Phan Thao, Duc Toan from Ciboat)

Quynh Hoa Charitable Vocational Training Center was established in 2007 by Mrs. Doan Thi Hoa. The center is located in Thanh Oai village, Huu Hoa commune, Thanh Tri district, Hanoi. In the last 16 years since its establishment, Mrs. Doan has taught vocational skills to over 600 disabled people across the country. This is also a place that provides food, accommodation, vocational training, and a space for cultural and spiritual activities for people with disabilities.

In your opinion, which job might be the most suitable for the disabled ?

• Making handicrafts
• Street singing
• Selling groceries
• Working in factories

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