A shared home for 'special' tailors

Not afraid of difficulties, not afraid of hardships, realizing the dream of bringing Vietnamese handicraft products from the disabled community to the world, for 11 years now, Mr. Pham Viet Hoai - co-founder of the mascot production workshop on Trung Van Street (Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi) and his workers, have been diligently and diligently creating sophisticated and eye-catching stuffed animal products.

The traditional Tet holiday of the nation is approaching, the pace of work life has also become busier and more hurried. In the mascot production workshop of disabled workers on Trung Van Street (Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi), nimble hands, decisive needles, combined with the sound of sewing machines, stuffing machines, ... lead the "special" workers to create beautiful stuffed dragons, welcoming the new year.

If you only look at the way they work, it is difficult to recognize that they have health "disabilities". Because they also do the same jobs as normal workers such as: cutting, sewing, stitching, stuffing,... even the stages that require high skills, they also complete well. The difference here is communication, because most of the workers here are deaf, so all work communication uses sign language, symbols specifically for the deaf and mute community.

Mr. Pham Viet Hoai, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kymviet Garment Factory, said: “My friends and I founded Kymviet in 2013. Eleven years have passed, and Kymviet is still a common home for 30 disabled workers, a bridge to jobs for them. The name Kymviet also conveys the aspiration to bring Vietnamese handmade products from a small community to the world.”

Sharing his journey of establishing a sewing workshop for the disabled, Mr. Pham Viet Hoai choked up: “I myself am also a disabled person, I sympathize and understand the disabled more than anyone else. I understand that they have a lot of potential and inner qualities that have not been exploited, they can completely contribute, create good values for themselves and the community with their own abilities. They bring to society sophisticated products, bringing Vietnamese culture into each product. I hope that the whole society can look at the disabled from a different perspective and join hands to create jobs for the disabled, so that they can have a normal life, can be independent.” After many years working at the sewing workshop, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang recalled the time when she had no job, staying at home and “relying on” her parents: “Before working at Kymviet, I had no job, I just stayed at home... It was a time of resignation, many difficulties, barriers in my life”.

By chance, while “running away from home” to hang out with friends in the same situation, Ms. Trang was introduced to Kymviet to learn a trade. “At first, there were many difficulties and hardships because I did not understand the job, but with the goal of overcoming myself to prove to my family that I could work, could use my own strength to create good values, I quickly overcame and have a stable job until now.” With the motto “We are disabled people but do not let our products be disabled products”. More than a decade has passed, the workers of the “voiceless” sewing factory have always been enthusiastic and diligent in perfecting each stage of the product. Whether it is simply designed stuffed animals or elaborate, sophisticated Tet mascots, none are difficult for the workers here.

To celebrate the Year of the Dragon 2024, the sewing workshop has launched many stuffed dragon products, including sophisticated and beautiful limited dragon versions. “This is a limited dragon version, meticulously made, taking a lot of time and effort. In this product, we use local materials such as silk, brocade,... combined with many other traditional materials of the nation. I am also very proud that this product is currently displayed in the living room of the Japanese Royal Family.”- Mr. Hoai shared.

In addition, this year, Mr. Hoai's sewing workshop has added a wooden wall clock product. The special feature is the delicately curved dragon details, inspired by the dragon image embroidered on the dragon robe of the Nguyen Dynasty king, combined with the embossed details in the form of reliefs, making it more attractive and eye-catching.

"We carefully process the details in the watch to ensure durability and emboss it to increase its appeal. These products can have their names engraved on the base, adding a personal touch," said Mr. Hoai.

Under the roof of Kymviet, the energetic workers are united, learning and working happily. Nature “robbed” them of their voices, ears, etc., but “compensated” them with a noble will and soul. With their own sign language, they always share and spread their love and enthusiasm for work to everyone around them.