Blind teacher wins top scholarship for social work

“That time was horrible. I fell into a depression,” Canh said, adding that he could no longer see a sunset, farmland or colours.

He became isolated in his home and his parents did not know what to do, thinking he would become a lottery ticket seller. 

In early December, he was one of 52 Vietnamese who were granted an Australia Awards Scholarship, which is part of a programme funded by the Australian Government, offering the next generation of global leaders an opportunity to undertake study, research and professional development. 

After his accident, Canh, now 32, heard about a school from a radio 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 with Disabilities, he began studying at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Specialised High School for children with visual impairments in HCM City in 2001.

At that time, the school only extended to the ninth grade, and for further study, students had to enroll in continuing education centres in the city.

Canh attended the 10th, 11th and 12th grades at Chu Van An Continuing Education Centre in the city’s District 5.

“I had to try 10 times harder than other students and had to learn via Braille textbooks, of which there were few. I had to take more time to study, and every evening when I returned to my dorm at the Nguyen Dinh Chieu school, teachers and student volunteers from the university helped me,” Canh said.

After receiving excellent marks, Canh was able to enroll in a special education faculty at HCM City University of Education without taking the university entrance examination.

He took part in sports, social welfare programmes and scientific research, and graduated with excellent marks.

During his third year at university, Canh and his classmates conducted research on a walking stick with LED lights and different sounds that could 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 VND162,000 (US$7), helps people with visual impairments feel confident and safe while going outside, according to Canh.

The research project won first prize at a scientific research contest for students at HCM City University of Education, which cited its humanitarian purposes.

It also was honoured as one of 81 outstanding research projects at the Creative Youth Festival held in 2012 by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

After graduation, Canh found it difficult to get a job as a teacher, even though he was one of the university’s outstanding students.

“No school manager would take me, only because of my disability. I applied for special schools for children with disabilities, but they were reluctant to hire me even with my excellent marks,” he said.

The managers said the school working environment and conditions were not suited to him, he added.

Finally, he got a job at Tri Tam School for Children with Disabilities in the neighbouring province of Binh Duong thanks to his teacher at the university, who introduced him to Tri Tam School’s principal.

In 2014, when he heard of Kien Giang province’s Social Welfare Centre’s recruitment for staff, he applied and was hired, and works there.

At the centre, Canh teaches Braille to children with visual impairments as well as piano or organ for children with disabilities. He also gives massages to seniors.

When he began, some people thought he would not be able to fulfill his tasks, but he proved that he could do anything well.

“When I was at university, I dreamed that I would study abroad some days. The dream has now come true!” Canh said.

He plans to study social work in a master’s degree programme at Flinders University in Adelaide.

“Many people with disabilities still feel uncomfortable and cannot integrate into society well,” Canh said. “I want to carry out programmes related to jobs, rights and equality for people with disabilities in the country after finishing my studies in Australia.”