Meet Quyt and Thuan from Vietnam

Catholic Relief Services’ education programs in Vietnam and around the world support and promote quality education for all people. Schools in Vietnam often lack resources to serve students with disabilities. The Inclusion of Vietnamese with Disabilities (IVWD) program trains parents, school leaders and teachers in Vietnam to work with the children and help each child achieve his or her potential. This program reflects the Catholic social teaching principle Dignity of the Human Person.

My name is Quyt and I live in central Vietnam. My daughter Thuan is 10 years old. She has cerebral palsy and can’t walk or move easily. When she was young, I was frustrated and often cried. I wanted my daughter to learn, but she wasn’t strong enough to go to school. Then Catholic Relief Services invited me to a meeting for parents who have children with disabilities. I learned how to exercise Thuan’s muscles and teach her to eat on her own. I wrote the alphabet on the wall near Thuan’s bed so she could learn it.

CRS sent a tutor to our house to help with Thuan’s education. In the beginning, Thuan could not even hold a pen. Now, she writes math problems, poems, and much more. Thuan’s tutor is amazed at how well she is doing. Still, we face challenges each day, so CRS helped us organize a local parents’ association. We share advice on caring for our children, celebrate accomplishments, and comfort each other through difficulties. Without CRS, Thuan might not be able to read or write. I am so proud of my daughter—she is very smart.