Hai grew up in a Khmu community in northwest Vietnam. He spoke little Vietnamese and knew almost nothing about the world outside his tiny village, so when some kind strangers came by offering training and education in the big city, he had no concept of what that meant.
Thinking he would be going somewhere nearby, Hai’s family agreed to let him go. Aged 13, he had already dropped out of school and there were no prospects for a better life if he stayed at home. The offer of help from these rich outsiders seemed like a great opportunity.
Hai was taken 1,200km away from home, to the industrial suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City, and sold to a garment factory. Instead of training, he was put to work 16 hours per day, with no days off and no way to contact his family.
Blue Dragon worked with the police to locate the factory to which he had been sold, and we were there when police raided it and set Hai free.
Read other stories
Vy's Story
How a commitment to education has changed one girl’s life.
Ban's Story
A shoeshine boy at age 14, Ban dreamt of a brighter future…
Cuong's Story
Abused and alone, Cuong’s cry for help was heard by Blue Dragon.
Thao's Story
With her harrowing ordeal behind her, Thao is building a future free from fear.
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