Despite what I have written, all is not well in Việt Nam. Any developing country has its difficulties, and my former student Trâm showed this one to me.
Trâm (say drum, like a soft T) is a junior in college. Bright and ambitious, she is taking a more serious look at life than she did as a freshman when I was her teacher. Though busy with her studies, she spends a major chunk of her time working as a volunteer at a nearby vocational training center for the handicapped. It has become her passion – her calling. After sharing coffee, she took me to the center.
And, I was blown away. The Center is a Vietnamese charity – the government is not involved – run by local Hûe people who want to help their community. Most of the students are brought in from the countryside where there are no support facilities for the handicapped and their families. They may be mentally retarded, physically impaired, deaf, or have lost a limb. The goal is to teach all who are able to learn, a skill that will allow them to be self-sufficient. Some, obviously, will never be able to live on their own, but they will be able to live a life of dignity and productivity at the Center.
This is a training and production center. Students produce goods that are then sold to resellers under
contract. The products are diverse. One classroom is dedicated to the production of small electrical items, such as the horn mechanisms for motorbikes or circuit 
boards for scientific instruments. Some are for export, while others are sold for Vietnamese consumption. Students in this program may be in wheelchairs or have lost a limb, but they must have full mental capabilities and have the ability to do close intricate work. As the economy of Việt Nam continues to expand, more jobs in electronics assembly will open up.
Sewing is taught in the next room. As I wandered through the classroom, I noticed a girl sewing on
paper. The explanation? She is new, and it is cheaper for her to make mistakes on old newspapers than to give her cloth. I was also to discover that not every student is “handicapped” by the usual definitions. This gentleman has no other 
“handicap” other than he is older with no job skills. He is sewing together scrubs – the uniforms worn by medical personnel.
In anther room, Trâm (on the right) and Hong (a staff member) show off a baby toy
produced by students being trained in wood work. Such a simple and inexpensive toy
is a great gift to for poor parents to buy for their child, but the skills learned in making such simple items will eventually allow the student to create more complex items, such as formal furniture. This young man’s ability to chisel shapes will lead
to the skill of being able to create intricate decorative carvings on the base of a finely made
coffee table.
Every part of the Center exudes competency, orderliness, and cleanliness. The staff teaches more than job skills – the students are learning life skills. The girl’s dormitory is crowded (32 girls live in this one room.) but everything is in its place, the floor swept, and clothes hung out neatly because there are no closets or storage racks.
But the fact that the dorm rooms are crowded demonstrates the Center’s biggest need. They need more space. They bought the land immediately behind the Center and plan to build new dormitory space on
it. Building costs will be a bit higher than normal simply because a lot of fill dirt will have to be brought in as the Center is in a flood-prone part of Hûe. Though inflation
changes the numbers quickly, current estimates are in the $25,000
range.
I was treated with deep courtesy and respect during my visit. I had a brief exit conversation with the Director, Mr. Trần Văn Thành, and I had to remind him that I am not a well-heeled businessman who can offer money.
I can, however, offer to help make the Center better known – and to encourage others to help. Here is Hr. Thanh’s email address if you would like to donate (I have disguised it so he doesn’t get more spam) ttdndtvl.hue at vnn.vn. You can transfer funds through Xoom.
Are you reading this, men of C 2/5?