Born in 1965 in Hanoi, Ms.Pham Thi Hien faced hardship early in life when she contracted polio at the age of one, leaving her unable to walk. Her life became an endless battle, but despite her physical challenges, her spirit never wavered. The unwavering support and love from her family helped her endure the pain, even though the effects of the illness remained with her throughout her life.
Starting with the basics of sewing, Ms.Hien never stopped learning and striving to become a shining example of resilience and dedication. Since joining the Hoan Kiem District Disabled People’s Association in 2009, she has actively helped others in similar situations, creating job opportunities and developing sustainable projects for the disadvantaged. One of her most notable initiatives is "Recycled Fabric Flowers: Livelihood for Women with Disabilities".
Through this project, Ms.Hien works with factories and fashion businesses to support women with disabilities. Fabric scraps, often discarded as waste with the potential to harm the environment, are transformed into meaningful creations by these “special artisans”.
Ms.Hien carefully guides and trains female members to hone their craft skills in her recycling workshop. Under their skillful and passionate hands, raw fabric scraps are turned into unique artistic products—vibrant fabric flowers, delicate bows, flower baskets, face masks, and even beautiful fabric paintings. Besides directly teaching, Ms.Hien also actively seeks markets to sell their handcrafted products.
"Women with disabilities often feel insecure, lack opportunities for social activities, and even face discrimination," Ms. Hien said. "I wanted to create a space where they could not only find employment but also express their creativity, gain recognition, and be celebrated".
This initiative not only provides a stable income for women with disabilities but also raises awareness about environmental protection. In 2024, the project proudly won a consolation prize in the "Capital Women’s Creative Entrepreneurship – Green Transition" competition. This recognition acknowledges their persistent efforts and serves as motivation for Ms.Hien and her team to expand their model to reach and support even more disadvantaged individuals.
One of the project’s members, Phan Bich Ngoc, will appear as a guest on the show to share her perspective on the profound impact this initiative has had. The program will also celebrate the extraordinary perseverance of people with disabilities while calling on organizations, businesses, and the community to support meaningful humanitarian projects like Ms.Hien’s. With a dream to expand the project’s scope and provide vocational training to more people with disabilities, Ms.Hien is constantly seeking the cooperation of philanthropists, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the community. Even the smallest contributions can help empower the vulnerable, give them a better, more confident life and ensure that no one is left behind.
The program Station of Love with the theme "A Radiant Journey" tells the story of Ms.Pham Thi Hien, a brave and resilient woman who serves as a role model for perseverance in life. She spreads love and compassion for the community of people with disabilities. The program will air at 10:00 AM on February 15, 2025, on VTV1.
