Staff Interview: Phan Thị Thanh Hương

Meet Hương, one of our dedicated and energetic teachers working with disabled children at Peace Village. She is from Quang Binh province, has a bachelor’s degree in literature from Hue University, and taught high school for four years before she came to CCV.

Why did you want to teach at CCV?

Ever since I graduated from college, through teaching I have discovered the joy of helping others.  It has become a passion. The opportunity to use that experience to give new meaning to the lives of the children at CCV, especially those with disabilities, as well as to explore new environments, increase my skills and widen the scope of my usefulness, has given my own life new meaning.

Since coming to CCV, what is the most exciting aspect of your work?

The fun.  Seeing how enthusiastic the children are in expressing their opinions and answering my questions.  The atmosphere at CCV is comfortable yet dynamic -- the children are having fun, and so am I!

Has anything surprised you about the children you work with?

Every day I am surprised by their progress. For instance, little Loi can now stand unsupported for up to five minutes. More and more, he understands everything we say and one by one is learning the letters of the alphabet. 

Hương and Loi

Can you share a memorable moment or two with us since starting to work with these children? 

Since coming to work for CCV, I was the closest to Duyen. Duyen is a child with a quick mind, this is reflected through her eyes and face. But she has cerebral palsy. When she still had difficulties with movement, she used to be fed by our staff. Through a period of training she has learned to grip her food—she loves eating cake!—and sit up straight. Now, when the cake is within reach, she uses her feet to move her body and her hands to grab the cake and put it in her mouth. Her great progress has made us all happy and is the kind of thing that motivates us.

What would you like to see happen in your neighborhood, in your country, concerning children like those who are in the program at CCV?

Special Education is not a field either recognized or taught in universities in Vietnam.  I would like all the children to have the same opportunities as the children at Peace Village, to have access to special education, to go to school, to develop intellectually and physically—to be treated with care and respect like other children in society.