Look at these chickens - They make me so happy

Health workers providing home-based healthcare guidance to Ms. Truong Thi Dieu Thuy

In Su Lo village, Phu Ho commune, Hue city, Ms. Truong Thi Dieu Thuy lives with her family in a small house in a peaceful rural area. Born in 1974, she is an Agent Orange survivor affected by the legacy of war. Her neurological and mental disability limits her cognitive abilities, and many daily activities still require support from her family.

Before the project, her life was quite reserved. She had a habit of keeping many stray cats, which made her home and sleeping area dirty and filled with unpleasant odors. Her personal hygiene was not properly maintained; her teeth had heavy plaque buildup and signs of infection. Her clothes and body were not cleaned regularly, and her sleeping space was not well organized. Although her family cared for her, they lacked the necessary knowledge and skills to provide proper support.

After a screening assessment, Ms. Thuy was enrolled in the home-based healthcare support activities for persons with disabilities under the Inclusion 1 Project. Local health workers visited her home multiple times, patiently guiding her and her family on essential daily care practices.

Through eight home visits, she learned how to properly maintain oral hygiene to reduce plaque and infections, as well as how to keep her body clean and her living space tidy. During each session, health workers not only provided instructions but also encouraged her to practice step by step under their gentle supervision. Family members were also guided on how to support, remind, and monitor her to maintain these daily habits.

Gradually, positive changes appeared in Ms. Thuy’s life. Her oral hygiene improved, and unpleasant odors were significantly reduced. Her sleeping area became cleaner and more organized, her clothes were changed more frequently, and her nails were regularly trimmed. Personal hygiene became part of her daily routine. Not only did her health improve, but her mental well-being also became more positive – she wandered less, became more cheerful, and communicated more with family members.

Ms. Thuy is guided on how to use a pellet feed machine for chicken farming

After assessing the household conditions, including a spacious garden and existing facilities, the project supported the family in developing a free-range chicken farming model, along with providing equipment and technical guidance.

Since then, Ms. Thuy has begun taking part in small tasks suited to her abilities: preparing rice husks for bedding, preparing feed, collecting snails, cooking feed grains, feeding the chickens, and cleaning the coop. These simple activities have brought her joy and a sense of purpose within her family. Notably, she also gave up her habit of raising stray cats and instead focused on raising chickens with her younger brother, as she said:“Raising chickens brings more income than raising cats.”

Her younger brother, Mr. Cuong shared: “Thuy is very capable. She helps me with many tasks such as preparing bedding, collecting snails, cooking feed grains, and feeding the chickens every day. She also helps clean the coop very well. Thanks to her, the coop is always clean, the chickens get sick less often, and the mortality rate is only about 1%.”

Ms. Thuy takeing care of her family's free-range chickens

After more than three months, the family earned over 12 million VND from their first flock and has continued with a new batch. Perhaps what brings the greatest joy is not just the additional income, but the clear improvements in Ms. Thuy’s well-being and daily life. When the project team visited, she smiled brightly and proudly showed them her chickens: “Look at these chickens – they make me so happy!”

That joy did not come by chance. It began with patient home visits from project health workers, who guided her in maintaining personal hygiene, caring for her health, and encouraged family members to support her consistently. Step by step, new habits were formed. Ms. Thuy is no longer withdrawn in a corner of the house, but actively participates in daily family activities – from personal care to helping raise the chickens.

Her life has gradually changed in a more positive direction, opening up meaningful new experiences. Inclusion for persons with disabilities sometimes begins with simple things – when they are cared for, supported appropriately, and given the opportunity to participate in their own family life.