Born in 2000, Huyen was very young when her parents divorced. Since then, her mother her two younger siblings and she have lived with her uncles family. The 9 sqm cabin is insufficient room for 7 at the best of times, but Huyens home is also her Uncles motorbike repair shop, a corrugated iron building situated next to a public toilet. Household income is erratic, her Uncle runs the repair shop where her mother assists, while also working as a street vendor selling alcohol and cigarettes.
After finishing Year 12, Huyen had dreams of becoming a hairdresser, a job with a skill and a stable income. Sadly, her mother could not financially support her and so saigonchildren came into her life. Her 10-month vocational course at Nhan Dao school is now being supported by the charities scholarship programme, and Huyen thrived at school, receiving regular praise from her superiors. After graduating with excellent grades, she achieved a hairdressing role at her teachers salon.
Now Huyen has an income of over 8 million VND a month. She is happy and content with how her life has turned out, as not only does she have a stable job, but she can also support the educational journey of her two younger siblings, following in her footsteps.
Huyen is a wonderful example of how saigonchildren can be the extra encouragement a student needs to break a cycle of poverty, develop their skills and contribute to their economy and community.