Female student dreams of opening a training center for autistic and hearing-impaired children

In a quiet corner in Ho Chi Minh City, young girl Vu Ngoc Minh Chau witnessed her friend struggling with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Amidst the torn books and screams, Chau witnessed something unusual - her friend seemed calmer and more focused as she immersed herself in the colorful drawings. Her childhood experience planted a seed in Chau that later blossomed into a passion for using art to connect and support others.

Time flies, Chau graduated from high school with excellent results and became one of the students receiving a full scholarship from RMIT University Vietnam in 2024. The young girl's journey from that moment deeply engraved in her memory to becoming one of the owners of this scholarship is a testament to the power of empathy, creativity and unwavering determination.

“My childhood days with my little friend changed me completely,” Chau recalls. “I realized that art is not just about creating beautiful things, but can also be a bridge, a way of communication for people who feel isolated or misunderstood to speak up.”

One such opportunity has come through the stePets project co-founded by Chau to help abused and abandoned animals.

“With each design my team made, we tried to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves,” Chau shared.

The group's efforts helped raise more than 10 million VND for the group's noble cause, but more importantly, the results showed the young girl the tangible impact that meaningful design can have in solving real-world problems.

This awareness has become the guiding principle that guides Chau in her efforts to blend her passion for art, academic achievement, and commitment to making an impact on the community.

The young woman’s passion for creating social impact is evident in the extracurricular activities in which Chau actively participates. Her leadership skills shine as the Team Leader in charge of Public Relations for the TU(A) Conference, responsible for managing a team of 50 members to organize a mental health conference that attracted 200 participants.

Some of Chau's designs for the stePets project

At SUGAR Vietnam, Chau is the Design Team Leader, helping to significantly increase social media engagement. Her creative talents extend to designing publications for The Psychealer Club’s mental health initiatives as well as contributing to the Miracle au Vietnam project’s culture podcast series. Her extensive experience demonstrates her ability to blend creativity with leadership and social responsibility across multiple media channels.

During her years at Ho Chi Minh City National University High School for the Gifted, Chau not only maintained excellent grades but also actively applied her sharp creative talent to activities that benefit society.

Ms. Tran Thi Cam Van, Chau’s high school literature teacher, was not surprised by her former student’s success. She shared that Chau has the ability to see beyond the words on the page and translate complex social themes in literature into practical, actionable ideas.

Chau’s vision of building a training center is an ambition that the young woman has set out to nurture. During her internship at MiYork Education, a social enterprise specializing in educational consulting, Chau impressed Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet, the CEO, with her clear sense of purpose.

“Despite her young age, Chau has shown maturity and a clear career goal,” said Tuyet. “Chau often talks to me about her aspirations and asks for advice on management and leadership to help her achieve success in the future. By choosing to intern at MiYork instead of a creative company, Chau chose to learn not only about graphic design but also about business thinking, which plays an important role in her future direction.”

“I dream of opening a training centre for autistic and hearing-impaired children, using visual arts as a teaching tool. RMIT’s Creative Design seemed like the perfect next step to make this dream a reality. I’m excited to formalise the skills I’ve learned on my own. But what really excites me is the opportunity to collaborate with other students and teachers who share my belief in designing for good,” Chau said.

Chau's story is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful changes start with a simple moment of connection and a willingness to see the world through someone else's eyes.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/nu-sinh-vien-nuoi-uoc-mo-mo-trung-tam-dao-tao-cho-tre-tu-ky-va-khiem-thinh-20241022113753384.htm