Meet Giap from Vietnam

Catholic Relief Services’ education programs in Vietnam and around the world support and promote quality education for all people. The Inclusion of Vietnamese with Disabilities (IVWD) program helps people with physical disabilities achieve higher education and find good jobs. IVWD helps each person realize his or her potential. This program reflects the Catholic social teaching principle Dignity of the Human Person.

My name is Giap and I live in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. When I was 17 I became sick with a fever. My muscles got weak, and soon I couldn’t walk anymore. I am now in a wheelchair.

When I finished high school, I didn’t know what my future would hold. Then I heard about a school that CRS supports for people with disabilities, and I decided to enroll. My brother stayed for a month on campus with me to help me get settled. My fellow students all have disabilities—some of us are in wheelchairs, some use crutches, and some are blind. The school has special facilities to help each person succeed. We are all learning computer skills and how to work in an office setting. It’s encouraging for all of us to see other students graduating and getting jobs. I started a group that designs websites. I’m proud to have overcome my difficulties and look forward to supporting myself with my new skills.