Mobility with Dignity – Wheelchair Distribution in Gia Lai

In June 2020, GGB provided wheelchairs to three individuals in Gia Lai Province, Vietnam—each living with lifelong mobility challenges and supported by families facing economic hardship. These wheelchairs offer not only physical mobility but also renewed dignity, independence, and connection to their communities.

1. Tường Vy – Age 39

Residing in Pleiku City, Tường Vy has lived with lower-body paralysis since a high fever at age two. Her father left shortly after her birth, leaving her mother, now 65, to raise five children alone working as a hired labourer. Despite limited resources, the family has remained resilient and close-knit.

Pleiku, the capital of Gia Lai Province, is a bustling highland city surrounded by coffee plantations and rolling hills. While urban in structure, many communities within Pleiku still face economic challenges, especially those in informal settlements or rural outskirts. Tường Vy’s family lives in Hamlet 4, An Phú Commune—a modest area where daily survival depends on manual labor and community support.

2. Ngam – Age 19

Ngam was born with paralysis and belongs to the Ba Na ethnic group. She lives in Hlang Village, Hnol Commune, Đăk Đoa District, Gia Lai Province. Her parents, both farmers, care for three children and rely on subsistence agriculture to meet daily needs.

Hlang Village is nestled in the forested highlands of Đăk Đoa, where Ba Na traditions remain strong. Homes are often built from wood and corrugated metal, and families cultivate cassava, corn, and rice. Access to healthcare and mobility aids is extremely limited, making Ngam’s wheelchair a transformative gift for both her and her family.

3. Nam – Age 12

Also born with paralysis, Nam is a member of the Ba Na community and lives in the same village as Ngam — Hlang, Hnol Commune, Đăk Đoa District. His parents, both farmers, raise four children and work tirelessly to provide food and shelter through seasonal crop cultivation.

In this remote village, children with disabilities often face isolation due to terrain and lack of infrastructure. Nam’s new wheelchair opens doors to education, social interaction, and a more inclusive future. His family’s strength and perseverance reflect the spirit of many indigenous households in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.