Brian Jeffrey
Meet Tran Duy Hoa, a social worker dedicated to the Planète Enfants & Développement Vietnam (PE&D) project aimed at combating child trafficking. He is focused on assisting children at the HCM City Social Work, Education and Vocational Center.
During his interactions with the children there, he recognized the risks that uncared for and unaccompanied children faced, both for themselves and society. This realization stemmed from a poignant story he heard about a 13-year-old boy with a troubled past.
H.K, a 13-year-old from Binh Duong province, found himself neglected within his family after his parents’ divorce. Left to fend for himself, he resorted to theft and eventually found himself in troubling situations.
After experiencing rejection from his family, K ended up living on the streets of HCM City, where he got involved in stealing to survive. Over time, he escalated his criminal activities, influenced by negative influences he encountered.
Despite his young age, K became skilled in theft, even developing tools to unlock locks effortlessly. His illicit activities expanded to include drug-related offenses, exposing him to a dangerous and harmful lifestyle.
Trapped in a cycle of crime and addiction, K’s behavior became increasingly reckless and violent, causing harm to others and himself. His encounters with the law did not deter him, as he continued to engage in criminal activities.
Hoa, deeply moved by K’s story and the potential dangers posed by neglected street children, took it upon himself to support these vulnerable individuals voluntarily. He believes that proper care and education could prevent such children from becoming threats to society.
A Compassionate Advocate for Street Children
For years, Hoa has been actively engaging with street children, offering a listening ear and practical assistance to address their needs. He focuses on marginalized children living in dire conditions, such as garbage dumps, roadside dwellings, or engaging in high-risk activities.
By understanding their circumstances and aspirations, Hoa provides guidance, support, and facilitates connections to resources that can help improve their lives. Whether it’s securing safe accommodation, vocational training, healthcare, or other essential services, he strives to empower these children to lead better lives.
Hoa emphasizes the importance of collective action and collaboration with organizations and individuals willing to support street children. He believes that coordinated efforts can have a more significant and lasting impact than individual acts of charity.
