Great determination makes miracles happen

In a modest, single-story house beside National Highway 1 bypass in Binh Minh commune, Dong Nai province, lives a woman who, despite a mobility disability, finds daily joy in vibrant, fragrant fabrics as she passionately sews graceful traditional ao dai for her customers.

With her strong will to live and her constant care and support for people with disabilities, Pham Thi Kim Phuong is loved by everyone. Photo: Quang Minh

Particularly, she is also the co-founder of the Café for the Disabled, which creates jobs and increases income for people who share the same unfortunate disability. Her name is Pham Thi Kim Phuong (42 years old), and everyone affectionately calls her by the tender nickname “Crescent Moon.”

Starting a career in ao dai tailoring

At nearly one year old, after a severe fever, Phuong became paralyzed in both legs. Years of treatment efforts by her family, across many places, only helped her legs recover slightly. From a young age, Phuong was devoted to her studies. However, due to financial hardship, she had to stop her education after graduating from high school to support herself financially.

One day, while taking her mother on a three-wheeled motorbike to have an ao dai tailored, Phuong watched the tailor at work and suddenly felt drawn to the craft. She asked to become an apprentice. At first, the shop owner refused, thinking her mobility challenges would make it impossible. But when Phuong returned to pick up her mother’s ao dai, the tailor unexpectedly agreed to take her on as a trainee.

Typically, it takes at least 12 months for a student to become proficient, but after just six months of training, Phuong asked for permission to “graduate” and start her own tailoring business at home. For her, ao dai tailoring came as a destined path.

“As a person with disabilities, my health and every activity are harder than others’, so I must use my strengths to make up for weaknesses. I nurture an optimistic and joyful spirit to dispel sadness and self-pity. I rely on strong will and perseverance to overcome my limits. Tailoring gives me many creative ideas, like an artist, so I always find joy in my work”.

Pham Thi Kim Phuong, resident of Binh Minh commune, Dong Nai province

With an optimistic and joyful spirit, Phuong works diligently every day. With a creative mindset, she pours her love for the craft into every stitch and seam, creating graceful ao dai. From her attentive customer service to the meticulous adjustments she makes to ensure each garment fits perfectly, her tailoring shop has gradually won the trust and support of customers near and far.

Nguyen Thi Kim Nga, a neighbor and regular customer, shared: “A beautiful dress comes from good fabric and eye-catching colors. But the perfect fit for each body shape depends on the tailor’s skill, and Phuong achieves that. Since she opened her shop at home, we’ve all come here to have our clothes made.”

Also satisfied with Phuong’s tailoring skills, Pham Huyen My (resident of Ho Nai ward) became a loyal customer not only because of the quality but also for Phuong’s gentle personality and sensitivity in understanding and meeting customer psychology. My said: “Phuong not only measures and tailors precisely to each individual’s body but also measures the customer’s trust. I admire her dedication and strong will in life.”

After 10 years in the ao dai tailoring profession, her skillful hands and friendly, warm nature have helped Phuong achieve stability in both her work and income.

And the Café Khuyet

More than two years ago (in September 2023), with support from an acquaintance, Phuong and several close friends, who also live with disabilities and shared the same vision, opened a coffee shop to create jobs and generate income for people with disabilities facing difficult circumstances in the area. They named the shop "Cafe Khuyet." The shop’s location is quite favorable, and Nguyen Cong Danh, a resident of Ho Nai ward, Dong Nai province, supported the initiative by offering the space rent-free.

Nguyen Cong Danh said, “When I saw Phuong and her friends planning to open a coffee shop to help people with disabilities find work, I fully supported it. I think that Phuong and her friends, though living with disabilities and disadvantages, still think of others, and that is a beautiful act of kindness that many people, including myself, admire, respect, and wish to follow.”

“Pham Thi Kim Phuong is a member of the Executive Board of Bien Hoa Disabled People’s Club, under the Dong Nai Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin. Overcoming her own physical limitations, Phuong not only creates graceful ao dai, offering opportunities for community integration and helping other people with disabilities overcome self-doubt and inferiority, but she also conveys a message of willpower, love, and sharing, which is a beautiful and deeply admirable act”.

Nguyen Thi Thuan, Vice Chairwoman of Dong Nai province Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin

To maintain the café’s stable operation, Phuong personally researched and learned coffee and beverage preparation online, while assigning suitable work to each person according to their health condition.

Nguyen Truong Duy (resident of Long Binh ward, Dong Nai province), who is paralyzed in both legs, was accepted by Phuong and other co-founders to work at the café. His job is to arrange and manage customers’ motorbikes and cars. Duy shared: “Having a job makes me feel valued and gives me an income, so I no longer feel self-conscious or inferior.”

After two years of operation, Café Khuyet has become increasingly effective, establishing itself as a familiar destination for many people. Currently, Phuong has handed over the management of the café to her friends because her ao dai tailoring shop is entering the busy year-end season. Whenever she has time, she still visits her friends, continuing to spread strong willpower, optimism, and love of life to others and the community.

By Quang Minh – Translated by Minh Hanh, Minho