August 2020 brought the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic and a Hanoi lockdown, temporarily halting our activities. Yet, beyond the capital, life continued, and thanks to the unwavering support of generous Go Fund Me donors, a beacon of opportunity shone for the blind community of Ninh Binh province. It was there that 13-year-old Le Ngoc Lam became the youngest participant in a Swedish massage training course organized for the Ninh Binh Province’s Blind Association (NBBA).
Growing up in the rural Thach Binh commune, Lam’s world was shrouded in darkness from birth due to a congenital eye disease. His family, a garment worker mother and a carpenter father, faced their own challenges, compounded by the silence from Lam’s sister working abroad in China since the pandemic’s onset. Lam’s own educational journey was tragically cut short. Losing his sight abruptly in second grade, he was forced to leave school. Moved by his isolation, former teachers persuaded his return, but the challenges of navigating a sighted world ultimately led him to leave again in fifth grade. Though school brought teasing, it also gifted him a steadfast friend, Minh, who remains close to this day.
Confined to home, Lam bravely learned to navigate the darkness, mastering household chores. When his divorced sister returned with her young child, who lives with cerebral palsy, Lam embraced a new responsibility as a caregiver. Yet, amidst these challenges, two passions ignited within him: swimming and the flute.
A near-drowning accident at six became an unlikely catalyst. His father, a martial arts master unwilling to accept defeat, stubbornly taught Lam to swim by tying a log to his body, forcing him to fight for survival in the water. Incredibly, within three days, Lam was dog-paddling with skill, later teaching himself the backstroke.
His love for the flute was born from a chance encounter. Wandering a field in sadness, the melancholic melody of a cattleman’s flute resonated deeply within him. This accidental discovery blossomed into a passion. Later, exploring his mother’s smartphone, Lam discovered the talkback function, unlocking a world of online learning. He stumbled upon “Sáo trúc Mão mèo” and, with trepidation, ordered his first flute, a secret his mother surprisingly embraced, paying the 220,000 VND that represented a universe of sound for Lam.
At ten, joining the Blind Association opened new avenues: ICT, “tam quat” massage, and Braille. Lam found particular resonance in ICT, granting him access to the digital world, and “tam quat,” (massage) offering a potential path to independence.
The first time he studied the Swedish massage course was also the first time that Lam learned English with a foreigner – Mr. Mark, even if it was just online. “When I went to school, I liked to learn English the most, so I’m very happy, but a little scared because the instructor is a foreigner. I enjoy this course a lot. I am determined to graduate excellently.”
Beneath Lam’s bright smile lies a thoughtful depth. When asked about his dreams, a shadow of sadness crosses his face. “I don’t know what to dream yet,” he confesses. “What I dream of most is for the light to return to my eyes, so I can go to school like my friends. I also want to get a job to support my parents.”
Reconnecting with Omamori Spa four years later, Lam embraced the opportunity to attend comprehensive training programs in Hanoi. His experience extended beyond massage therapy, as he also learned to play the drums and piano. This led to an exciting performance with other colleagues at the Christmas Party 2023, a prestigious event hosted by U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper at his Residence.
