"Hoa" by Angela Smith

“Hoa” by Angela Smith

"Hoa" by Angela Smith

Hoa’s Story (2008)

hoa 2Hoa contracted polio when she was just two years old. Her mother could not afford to pay for the expensive hospital treatment when the she was left iin dire circumstances by her husband abandoning the family. At first Hoa did not go to school but, when she saw her friends being educated, she wanted to join them. So her mother then began carrying her there on her back. She stayed in her birthplace of Duy Nghia for her schooling until Year 9 but then had to move to Hoi An to finish the final three years.

It was extremely difficult for her to travel to school let alone getting to the upstairs classroom. In Year 10 she virtually lived and slept on the school porch, buying her food at the nearby market. Luckily in Years 11 and 12 she was taken in by a kindly woman and she paid her board by doing housework and teaching her children. She passed her university entrance exam but was barred from attending because of her polio condition. Her real wish had been to become a teacher of disabled children, as she felt she could identify with them. She overcame this disappointment and began studying a computer and English course. After getting her certificate she worked for three years in a computer shop.

hoa2 portraitShe married five years ago and gave birth to two daughters – now aged five and two. With Hoa’s health problems the births were very difficult but Thu and Thuong are now healthy, happy children. For the first year her husband had to do all of the childminding but, as they grow up, Hoa is able to take on her mothering duties. Although the girls’ mobility can be a challenge at times they are a delight to their parents. Hoa was donated a computer by Lifestart Foundation and runs a small computer business from home, as well as helping her husband with his shoe-making business. Lifestart has also recently bought her a three-wheeled motorbike and she can be regularly seen ferrying her daughters around. Her aim is to own a small shop selling stationary and related equipment.With her determination there is every possibility this dream will happen.

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