Ti: the boy with the whole world ahead of him
After his family lost their home, Ti looked destined for a life on the streets. With Blue Dragon’s support, he went to school, took part in vocational training and threw himself into experiences that have paved the way for him to make the world a better, brighter place for everyone.
Growth
Ti was living in Blue Dragon’s safe accommodation when he caught COVID-19. His social workers set him up in an isolated room and brought him food and medicine until he made a full recovery.
“I felt so sick, but it was amazing to have such dedicated support throughout the whole thing. I felt really safe knowing Blue Dragon was looking after me.”
As soon as Ti got back on his feet, he gathered a group of friends to cook a thank you dinner for the people who had taken care of him. For everyone who had watched Ti grow up, it was just another example of what a kind, sensitive young adult he’s become since he first met Blue Dragon on the streets as a five-year-old boy.
Five-year-old Ti shortly after meeting Blue Dragon.
Broken down
The youngest of three children, Ti was born in Hanoi and lived the early years of his childhood in a broken down house with no bathroom. Due to disputes over the land, his family had to spend long periods living on the streets, sleeping under makeshift shelters covered in tarpaulin.
It was while they were living like this that Blue Dragon first met Ti playing with his brother and sister in a small park. We immediately began supporting them with food and daily necessities before getting all three kids into school for the first time in their lives.
Finally, Ti could spend his time learning and playing instead of wandering the streets. The family moved into a new home, and for a while they seemed to be heading toward a better life.
Then Ti’s family suddenly ran into financial trouble. His parents were forced to leave Hanoi, meaning Ti and his siblings had to survive alone on the streets, dropping out of school and begging to survive.
Ti and his siblings.
A new family
When Blue Dragon learnt about Ti’s situation, we brought him to our safe accommodation in Hanoi, where he lived with children from similar backgrounds. With our constant care, he had everything he needed to stay in school and thrive.
Because of his unstable upbringing, Ti was prone to emotional outbursts. He would often start arguments and try to solve problems through aggression. Over time, with psychological counselling and emotional support, that slowly began to change.
Ti is naturally athletic. He loves joining sports and dance activities, seeing it as a chance to let go and live in the moment. Once, when someone at Blue Dragon asked Ti how many goals he wanted to score at the next football session, he smiled and said:
“It doesn’t matter, because when I play, I feel so free.”
As time passed, Ti’s natural leadership abilities came to the fore, bringing other children under his wing and helping them to thrive like himself.
Ti at a Blue Dragon activity.
Ti with his friend.
Ti (right) playing football.
Becoming a leader
When Ti was 15, he told Blue Dragon that he was interested in pursuing a career in hospitality. We supported him to enrol in a vocational training course, and Ti gave it his all.
Ti found a job in a cafe soon after completing the course. He loves his work, and it has helped him to gain a greater sense of responsibility and team ethic – which he shows every day.
“The more time I spend with Ti and watch his growth into a young man, the clearer it becomes that he has so many talents and succeeds in anything he puts his mind to,” shares Ti’s social worker.
The combination of Ti’s leadership abilities, determination to grow as a person and his ability to learn quickly led him to a life-changing trip in December 2025.
Ti at a leadership skills workshop.
Singapore
Every year, a group of Blue Dragon kids are invited to Singapore by our friend UWC to compete in a hip hop dance competition for a huge audience. There are only a few available spaces, which means there’s a lot of competition for a seat on the plane.
Ti and his fellow hip hop enthusiasts spent months perfecting their routine, staying late at the Blue Dragon centre to practice every night. The sense of adventure and the thrill of performing made it all worth it.
“I felt wonderful because each day of the trip was a different experience. I got to visit so many beautiful places and enjoy lots of incredible food. We were all so happy!”
Ti came back to Hanoi with a life-changing experience under his belt, but he would have an even bigger adventure on the horizon very soon.
Ti playing a traditional instrument in Singapore.
Ti having fun in Singapore.
Ti (front left) dancing on stage in Singapore.
Australia
Having always enjoyed studying English and learning about different cultures, Ti applied for an extremely competitive one-year scholarship with Blue Dragon friend Langports English Language College in Australia.
When the news came in that he’d been accepted, Ti could hardly believe it.
“Honestly, it was the most memorable moment of my whole year. It’s a huge motivation for me to keep trying harder in my studies, my work and my personal development.”
Ti was all smiles as he waved goodbye to his Blue Dragon friends at the airport, and he hopes that many more kids like him will follow in his footsteps, breaking out of hardship and into a new life of hope and possibility.
“I want to tell the younger kids that learning isn’t just about numbers or theories; it comes from the activities you take part in and the trips you go on and the people you meet. I’ve learned a lot from those journeys, from simple things like teamwork to important life skills through hands-on activities. Always be confident and don’t be afraid of making mistakes, because if you mess up, you can always try again. One great saying I’ve learned is that when you fall, you learn twice as much. Don’t be afraid of failure, because it’s the first step to growing up.”
Ti’s future is bright.
