In a special broadcast at 10:15 AM on Saturday, October 18, “Station of Love” brings viewers the moving story of Nguyen Thi Sa Ri, a woman who has navigated life’s challenges with strength, perseverance, and boundless love.
Born into a low-income family in Long An Province, Sa Ri lost her ability to walk at the age of three after a severe fever. From then on, her hands became her “legs”, carrying her through a childhood filled with challenges. For three years, her sister carried her to school every day, bearing not only Sa Ri but also their shared dream of education along muddy village paths.
Defying all odds, Sa Ri deeply moved her small rural school community when teachers and classmates raised funds to buy her first wheelchair. From then on, she wheeled herself to class rain or shine, determined to learn. She was an excellent student for 12 consecutive years, proving that while her legs had stopped moving, her willpower certainly had not.
When financial hardship prevented her from going to university, Sa Ri pursued vocational training at the Ho Chi Minh City Center for the Disabled. There, under the guidance of Mr. Tran Hoang Minh, founder of the Spring Shelter, she discovered her passion for swimming. She progressed from struggling to stay afloat to becoming a champion in just three months of training. In 2007, she won three national gold medals in 2007, broke an Asian record, earned two silver medals at the Para Games. She was also awarded the Third-Class Labor Medal by the State.
Despite her success in sports, Sa Ri didn’t stop there. In 2008, she enrolled on an English language program at university, balancing her studies with part-time work, and training. On graduation day, she brought the audience to their feet with a standing ovation when she walked up to the stage with crutches to receive her diploma.
After getting married, Sa Ri returned to her hometown in Long An. What started as English lessons for her children and nieces gradually evolved into free community classes. At first, there were only five to seven students. Now, nearly twenty children, mostly from poor working families who sell lottery tickets, collect scrap metal, or work in local markets, gather in her small home classroom. Neighbors contributed desks and chalkboards, and Sa Ri offered love and knowledge. For almost eight years, every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday evening from 5:45 to 7:30 PM, the small classroom in Phuoc Dong Commune, Can Duoc District, has been filled with hope. More than 100 students have learned from her, many of whom have shown remarkable progress. Sa Ri now uses her hands, once weakened by disability, to plant seeds of knowledge, nurture hope, and spread positive energy to everyone around her.
This week’s episode of “Station of Love” tells the inspiring story, the journey of a woman who has turned her challenges into strength, a former athlete who is now a silent yet radiant figure, shining with compassion and courage in everyday life.
