Huynh Huu Canh, who has won a scholarship to study for a master’s degree, attends the Australia Awards Scholarships ceremony in HCM City with his wife and sister in early December (Photo: VNA)HCM City (VNS/VNA) – Huynh Huu Canh and hiscousin were digging up an iron object one day when a bomb left over from thewar exploded, killing his cousin and leaving Canh, then in the fourth grade,blind.
“That time was horrible. I fell into a depression,” Canhsaid, adding that he could no longer see a sunset, farmland or colours.
He became isolated in his home and his parents did not knowwhat to do, thinking he would become a lottery ticket seller.
In early December, he was one of 52 Vietnamese who weregranted an Australia Awards Scholarship, which is part of a programme funded bythe Australian Government, offering the next generation of global leaders anopportunity to undertake study, research and professional development.
After his accident, Canh, now 32, heard about a school from aradio programme and urged his parents to send him there.
“They were worried about my going alone to another province,An Giang, but they eventually allowed me to leave,” Canh said.
After graduating from the An Giang School for Children withDisabilities, he began studying at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Specialised High Schoolfor children with visual impairments in HCM City in 2001.
At that time, the school only extended to the ninth grade, andfor further study, students had to enroll in continuing education centres inthe city.
Canh attended the 10th, 11th and 12th grades at ChuVan An Continuing Education Centre in the city’s District 5.
“I had to try 10 times harder than other students and had tolearn via Braille textbooks, of which there were few. I had to take more timeto study, and every evening when I returned to my dorm at the Nguyen Dinh Chieuschool, teachers and student volunteers from the university helped me,” Canhsaid.
After receiving excellent marks, Canh was able to enroll in aspecial education faculty at HCM City University of Education without takingthe university entrance examination.
He took part in sports, social welfare programmes andscientific research, and graduated with excellent marks.
During his third year at university, Canh and his classmatesconducted research on a walking stick with LED lights and different sounds thatcould help the blind recognise terrain or objects on streets while walking.
The stick also gave an audible warning about people near them.
The stick, which costs an affordable 162,000 VND (7 USD),helps people with visual impairments feel confident and safe while goingoutside, according to Canh.
The research project won first prize at a scientific researchcontest for students at HCM City University of Education, which cited itshumanitarian purposes.
It also was honoured as one of 81 outstanding researchprojects at the Creative Youth Festival held in 2012 by the Ho Chi MinhCommunist Youth Union.
After graduation, Canh found it difficult to get a job as ateacher, even though he was one of the university’s outstanding students.
“No school manager would take me, only because of mydisability. I applied for special schools for children with disabilities, butthey were reluctant to hire me even with my excellent marks,” he said.
The managers said the school working environment andconditions were not suited to him, he added.
Finally, he got a job at Tri Tam School for Children with Disabilitiesin the neighbouring province of Binh Duong thanks to his teacher at theuniversity, who introduced him to Tri Tam School’s principal.
In 2014, when he heard of Kien Giang province’s SocialWelfare Centre’s recruitment for staff, he applied and was hired, and worksthere.
At the centre, Canh teaches Braille to children with visualimpairments as well as piano or organ for children with disabilities. He alsogives massages to seniors.
When he began, some people thought he would not be able tofulfill his tasks, but he proved that he could do anything well.
“When I was at university, I dreamed that I would studyabroad some days. The dream has now come true!” Canh said.
He plans to study social work in a master’s degree programmeat Flinders University in Adelaide.
“Many people with disabilities still feel uncomfortable andcannot integrate into society well,” Canh said. “I want to carry out programmesrelated to jobs, rights and equality for people with disabilities in the countryafter finishing my studies in Australia.”-VNA
VNA
