Visting Tram

Thursday, 27 Sep

Mark Pham from Company of Grace is helping us, working out school fees for Tram and her brother Dung.
We also wanted to see how Tram is going after Patti Lien was working with her in March/April. Tram has got cerebral palsies and is severely disabled. We were surprised to see Tram sitting up. Before she was unable to sit without support.

13 year old Tram

Today we visited the family; with us came Mark and our friend Hoan Candy. Hoan is severely disabled, she has two short legs and only one hand but she is an inspiration to anyone ... she rides a motor bike with support wheels, plays badminton, she has a job and studies English and IT at night. For young people in Viet Nam that is leading a normal life.
The reason of our visit was to convince Tram's parents that some changes around the house are necessary for her to become more independent. 
Hoan spoke about her disability and what obstacles she had to overcome to be independent.  

Our friend Hoan who lived 19 years at the Peace Village in Sai Gon

Wheelchair access to the toilet in Tram's house is impossible right now. We made suggestions how simple changes could easily be achieved. It looks like the message has not hit home. They argued it would cost money ...
Later in the taxi Mark suggested we have to let them know that the supporters in Australia want to see progress ... otherwise they might not be willing to support the family ... If supporters are not happy ...  To tell you the truth, we were thinking somewhere down that line ... but this coming from a local ... and he will also be the messenger ... I think we have to go with his idea.

Trams dad and her two brothers

Mark ... does not like the attitude of Trams parents

Not happy either ...

In 2008 we bought a commercial sewing machine for the parents. This enables them to work from home and have a steady income. Currently assembling leather wallets.