Fighting for the future

Story by Ngo Thi Phuong Lan – Principal of Trieu Thuong Kindergaten, Trieu Phong ADP, Written by Tran My Hang  

When the sunlight is beginning to fade, Phan Hung is still wrapped up in dismantling and reassembling an old pump. The welding sparks are intermittently shinning on his tanned face.

“Today I’ve got some more clients”, explained Hung. “I can even work until midnight if I receive a lot more orders.”

Five years ago, Hung didn't have this kind of passion for work. After failing an exam to university, Hung wasted time with his gang. To pay his expenses for hanging out with friends, he often asked his parents for money.

“While my parents were almost unable to work because they had been sick for years, my two elder brothers stayed unemployed,” recalls Hung. “All of them hoped I would find a stable job. But I saw no way for my future either.”

Fortunately, World Vision’s Area Development Programme in Trieu Phong knew Hung’s circumstances. Since then, they didn’t let him alone.

One day, World Vision’s staff in Trieu Phong district came to visit Hung and his parents. Hung was offered a vocational training course.

“They were very friendly and sympathetic,” says Hung.

Being encouraged by World Vision’s staff, Hung was determined to learn a trade.

Since there was not a mechanic factory in the district at that time, even though the demand of steel or aluminum products were very high among the residents, Hung registered for a two-year mechanic class, with World Vision supporting him the whole fee.

After his graduation, while Hung was still struggling to get start-up funds, World Vision gave him 4.5 million dong (220 US dollars) to buy a welding machine. His parents also helped borrow about 10 million dong (500 US dollars) for him to buy more welding equipment.

Hung eventually had a small welding shop at home.

“When I first opened the shop, few clients came. But now I have a lot more,” says Hung. “I charge my clients a low price for my services. This is a way I help poor people in my district, as well as say thanks to World Vision who has supported me when I was in the difficult time.”

So far, Hung can earn an average of 4 million dong (200 US dollars) per month. Sometime, he earned 6 million dong (300 US dollars) if that month he had extra orders. He spent a part of his income to repay the debt and the rest he gave to his parents to pay for family needs. When there are no orders, he goes to other welding factories run by his teachers to work and improve his skills.

 At the age of 26, Phan Hung becomes the breadwinner of his family of six.

“My son is now my family’s hope for a better life. He’s just told me he wants to expand the business, so that he can help his friends to learn the welding skills,” says Hung’s mother.