A rousing speech from an inspirational young woman

When Hang lost both her hands in a childhood accident, she and her family thought it was the end. She survived, met Blue Dragon and turned her life around. Last month, she made a rousing speech about how high her courage and determination have lifted her since that fateful day.

On stage at a gathering for the Hanoi Association for Children with Disabilities, she described how she recovered, met Blue Dragon and found the motivation to give everything to every second of life. Through different projects and social enterprises, she helps people with disabilities, homeless people and hospitalised children while dreaming of becoming a social worker.

Here is her story in her own words, shared with permission.

Hang with her friend Tan, who also receives support from Blue Dragon.

 

“First of all, I would like to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes for good health to everyone here today.

My name is Hang, and I’m currently a second-year student at university. Standing here today, I feel truly emotional, deeply grateful and appreciative of everything that has been given to me — especially the support from Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.

Looking back on the journey I’ve been through, I feel immense gratitude, because without the care, love and patience from all of you, I certainly would not be standing here today. I would like to express my deepest thanks to the social workers at Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, who have always believed in and supported me throughout the years.

When I was three years old, I was involved in a train accident. At that moment, it felt as though everything had come to an end, as my family didn’t dare to believe that I would survive. By some miracle, I remained in this world. I lost both of my hands, but my mind and intellect remain just like anyone else’s. I have always considered this a great blessing, and that very blessing constantly reminds me to live a life that is truly meaningful and to keep striving and working hard so as not to waste the second chance life has given me. Because to me, simply being alive is already an incredibly precious gift.

When I was five years old, after undergoing treatment, I met Blue Dragon. There, I was able to study, to be loved, to be guided, and to make friends who shared similar backgrounds, and came to feel like my older brothers and sisters. The atmosphere there made me feel like I was not alone. From then on, I found more motivation to keep trying and to believe that I too could achieve what others can. Then I was able to go to school at the right age. For someone in my situation, this was truly a precious gift. In the early days of school, I was very afraid — afraid of falling behind, afraid of being different. But over time, I realised that as long as I gave my best effort, I could learn just as well as my peers. 

Throughout 13 years of schooling, I never once had to fall behind. Part of that was because of my own determination, and the rest was thanks to my teachers and friends, those who were patient, understanding and always by my side, supporting and helping me. I am deeply grateful to all of them. Perhaps thanks to the strong foundations I received from the Bước Tiến Project and Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, I gradually gained the confidence to step out into the world, to challenge myself, and to learn more. Along that journey, I was fortunate to achieve a few small accomplishments — which to me are not personal achievements to be proud of alone, but proof of the trust and belief that everyone placed in me.

During my studies and training, I was honoured to receive second prize in the Hanoi City Excellent Student Competition in Geography in 2024, followed by second prize in Social Work & Psychology Professional Skills at the Vietnam Youth Academy in 2025. To me, these results are not just awards but reminders that the path I have chosen is the right one and that I am fully capable of pursuing a serious and long-term commitment to the field of social work.

With that belief, I hope to contribute more to the community. I have worked as a collaborator with the social enterprise Chạm Vào Xanh, founded by former Blue Dragon team member Hieu Luu, and earlier, at the beginning of 2023, I independently carried out a small project supporting people experiencing homelessness in Hanoi. More recently, I had a very special experience. During the Mid-Autumn Festival in October 2025, I handcrafted 100 jellyfish-shaped lanterns to give to children receiving treatment at the hospital. It was a small, fully handmade project and it brought me many deep emotions. Seeing the children’s joy made me realise that sometimes just a little time, effort and sincerity can bring light and happiness to others — especially children who are facing so many hardships.

To me, these are the very first steps in learning how to give back, share and understand that social work often begins with the simplest things.

From all my experiences, I have come to understand more deeply that every opportunity I have today did not come by chance. They are the result of many hands that reached out to hold mine and many hearts that believed in me and gave me the chance to grow and contribute. I always remind myself that what I am able to do is not meant to be kept for myself but to be shared and passed on to those who need it more.

I am truly grateful to have grown up with the care of Blue Dragon, a place that gave me belief, direction and the courage to keep moving forward on my chosen path. Although the road ahead will still hold many challenges, with the foundations I have been given, I will be strong enough to continue.

I dream of becoming a social worker in the future so that I can continue to walk alongside children and people who face circumstances similar to those I once did. I hope that one day, I too can become someone who offers opportunities, just as all of you once offered them to me.

Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the leadership of the Bước Tiến Project, Blue Dragon, my teachers, friends, and family — all those who have accompanied me throughout this journey. I promise to continue striving, to live with kindness, and to work with dedication so as not to betray the trust and love you have placed in me. I would like to conclude my sharing here. Thank you sincerely to everyone for listening.”