Twelve years ago, a terrible accident deprived a 25-year-old woman of her legs and ruined her budding career as a newscaster on the Voice of Ho Chi Minh City People Radio Station.
Nguyen Huong Duong, whose name means “sunflower,” used to stay in bed all day during the period of recovery crying and cursing the fate which had taken away her full mobility and joy for life.
However, one day a trip to the Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for blind students changed her life forever. During the visit, Duong heard a blind student singing a tune that deeply moved her.
“Say which words are the most innocent… and say that life is more beautiful than a dream.”
“Listening to those words shook my heart,” Duong said. “I suddenly realized that if the blind remained optimistic about life despite all the adversities they face, why can’t I face my own challenges bravely? I was still lucky to have eyes to see the beauty of life.”
The ex-radio newscaster also became conscious that she could do something to contribute to the lives of these students when the youngsters crowded around her and begged her to “tell stories.”
Duong then started to come by the school regularly and record audio books for the students four days a week.
Locking herself in a small claustrophobic room, Duong would spend hours reading a variety of children books into a recorder. Whenever she completed a cassette, school teachers would put it in an old cassette player for students to listen to during break time.
With a mellifluous voice, Duong has brought to life opulent worlds filled with noises and colors that transcend the students’ darkened visions. Her stories strove to transplant vivid images such as winds gusting through trees, waves breaking on shores, colorful flower gardens and lush green landscapes into the youths’ imaginations.
The popularity of her audio books inspired Duong to set up a library in August 1998, managed by the HCMC Charitable Women Association.
At first due to limited funds, Duong’s “recording studio” had to be relocated several times and the space was often no larger than a small airless room fit for one person.
However, Duong later received donations from different organizations and kind benefactors, and some newscasters from HCMC Television and other youths started to lend a hand in producing audio books.
Over the past ten years, the library has archived 821 audio works and presented 145,000 talking books to 75 schools and associations for the blind nationwide.
The project has also connected 440 students to scholarships provided by charitable organizations.
“The accident has changed my life,” Duong said. “It provided me another perspective into the lives of disadvantaged people and spurred me to contribute something of worth rather than just dispense sympathy.”
Life of service
In the ten years working to put together the library, Duong has received many appreciative letters from blind students.
“Audio books have helped to bring us knowledge and introduce an amazing world of sounds,” a letter read.
Last year, when Duong had to stop recording books temporarily due to health problems caused by her previous injuries, a blind student endearingly offered to lend his legs if it would help her to resume work.
“Blind students think I have brought happiness to them, but it is they who have enthralled my life,” Duong said. “I have risen from the ashes of despair and found meaning in doing this life work to serve others.”
Source: Tuoi Tre, Thanh Nien |
E-mail to a friend 
Print version
To top
