We can change the world by giving hope

 

   I want to continue sharing the stories qwritten by our team about the programs they lead. Todays is written by Hieu. Hieu is part of the leadership team and leads our Wheelchair program. Thanks to Free Wheelchair Mission we have distributed over 140,000 wheelchairs in Vietnam.

 Enjoy Hieus journal:     

 

 

    I came from a poor background. I'm the youngest one of six in a farmer family. My mother passed away because of a stroke when I turned 10. My father worked hard on the farm to earn a very basic living and education for us. I was supported by a monthly scholarship of 5 USD by an NGO from Taiwan to continue my education. This impacted my life and made me determined to achieve my dream to help others. Because when we receive something from others, we tend to think about how we can give something back.

 

    I came to GIBTK as a plan of God. Learning about it by accident through a friend, I attended a quick interview in which my performance was not really good. Being asked, "Why do you want to work at GIBTK", I answered "I consider handicapped people and unfortunate kids as my family members. I want to join GIBTK so that I can give disabled people a pair of new legs". And I think that's why I was chosen.

 

Type caption text here.At the 2017 Event of Free wheelchair Mission with Founder Don Schoendorfer.

    The first three months were very challenging to me, because I had to learn all new things: oversee the wheelchair program, and take care of detailed things. My performance was limited, and I "had to" attend many meetings because of my poor performance. At that moment when I was stressed, Tam (our SEA director) encouraged me: "I know you are the right person for this job." It was so motivating to me, and I tried 200% to do my best!

          

 

    The Wheelchair program is very challenging. I have to manage applications from needy handicapped people and local partners (over 1000 per month); order two new containers, keep track on the shipping processes for both containers, instruct and audit partners for their training and distribution of over 1000 wheelchairs per month. Sometimes I replied to emails at midnight, or stay late at the office to work on testing projects for FWM.   Mrs. Molly (International Relationship Manager at FWM) asked me "Do you ever sleep? You have a lot of things to do and I see your emails at all times". (Sure I do sleep).

 

    Of course, I cannot do everything without support from the leadership team and my teammates. We define TEAM is Together Everyone Achieves More. We also have an extended team of 50 governmental partners, about 10 churches and some NGOs. They are extended loving hands of God to handicapped people!

 

   Last month I visited some of our past recipients who are using our wheelchairs. One of them sells things and does surveys online. The other one works as an office administrator at a center for kids with mental problems. And the other eight people are learning vocational training to do embroidery, sew clothes, or sculpture. A lady is running a workshop and helping four other handicapped people. All of what I saw and heard from them reinforced what I said to Robert: "I was born to do this! Yes! Giving hope and opportunity is what I dreamed."

 

    Last week in a distribution in Lang Son province (1,000 km from our office to the north) I met a young girl. She is Lam Thi Dinh, 18, living in a Tay minority ethnic family in a mountainous area. She had normal health and was a good student at school until grade 12. In October of last year, she had a tumor in her spinal cord which took away her ability to stand or walk. It also stopped her opportunity of education and living a better life. She would drop out of school and stay at home for the rest of her life without a wheelchair!

Type caption text here.Honored guest of Miracle of Mobility 2017

 

     She couldn't hide her excitement for a new pattern of life. She cried in happiness and shared with me "I will go to school to continue my education. I will go to university next year! This gift is so valuable and encouraging". Yesterday I called her and she said she is using the wheelchair in a classroom.

 

     A speaker said "We can change the world by giving hope to others". I would say a big thank you to every donor and supporter, to FWM and GIBTK team, to our partners for every single day you worked hard to help us transform lives. Your kindness is multiplying and having long-term transformations. I think with anything you are doing today, you should imagine how it impacts lives after five years, 10 years and more. Just like the scholarship impacted my life and make me myself today.

Sincerely;

Hieu