One day in 2017, while sitting in Ngoc Lam Park (Long Bien District, Hanoi), Dong Quang Quyet—a boy who had spent three years on the streets—was approached by a stranger. Having lost trust in others after being repeatedly deceived, Quyet reluctantly listened to her story about Blue Dragon, an organization supporting street children. This encounter marked a turning point in his life.
From Street Child to Success: Quyet's Journey of Transformation
Quang Quyet, now 25, is the owner of a small bike service in Hanoi (Photo: To Sa).
Escaping Reality
Quyet was born into a poor family in Nam Dinh, where his single mother struggled to make ends meet. His father, suffering from brain disease, could not work, and all household expenses fell on his mother, who supported the family with odd jobs. The family’s situation became increasingly dire as the children failed to integrate into society, and there was little understanding between mother and children.
At age 12, Quyet decided to leave the oppressive home environment. With 100,000 VND given by his grandmother, he traveled to Hanoi to “change his life.” However, his dream quickly shattered as he faced the harsh realities of city life.
Initially, Quyet sought work at a pho restaurant, hoping for stable accommodation and meals. After half a year of working tirelessly from early morning until late at night, he was fired without receiving any wages. One cold winter afternoon in 2012, Quyet was thrown out of the restaurant with only the clothes on his back and no money.
Lost and alone, he sat outside a nearby pharmacy. Fortunately, a kind woman stopped to give him money for a bus ticket home. Instead of returning, Quyet chose to stay in Hanoi, starting his life as a shoe shiner. His early days were filled with uncertainty, sleeping wherever he could and eating irregularly.
Life grew darker when a criminal took advantage of his trust, stealing the little money he had saved. Three years on the streets left Quyet disillusioned with both people and life.
A Turning Point
The meeting with the woman in Ngoc Lam Park opened new doors for Quyet. His first visit to Blue Dragon brought warmth through hot meals, and he gradually found trust in Michael Brosowski, the founder of the organization. Michael patiently talked to Quyet every day, teaching him to read and giving him the book Quang Ganh Lo Di Ma Vui Song. These gestures helped Quyet let down his guard and regain faith in life.
In November 2015, Michael invited Quyet to a gala dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of New Zealand at a luxury hotel. It was Quyet’s first time entering such a world, and he was surprised by the warm welcome.
“I am a street child, but no one looked down on me,” Quyet recalled. This experience inspired him to study and strive to become a better person.
Taking Control of His Life
With support from Blue Dragon, Quyet returned to school and completed his high school education. He then started working as a motorbike driver and later switched to driving taxis. In 2020, with just 50,000 VND in his pocket, Quyet bought his first vehicle after securing a bank loan.
During the pandemic, Quyet temporarily returned to his hometown and developed a transportation service model connecting Hung Yen and Nam Dinh. Post-pandemic, he returned to Hanoi with the idea of building a green electric transport fleet. By May 2024, Quyet had become the owner of a small fleet, specializing in eco-friendly transport services.
“I want to contribute to Vietnam’s commitment to net-zero emissions at COP26. Each individual must play their part in protecting the environment,” he shared.
Conclusion
From a street child to a successful entrepreneur, Quyet has overcome numerous challenges to build a bright future. Not only has he taken control of his life, but he has also spread positive values within his community. Follow Quyet’s journey to see that with persistence and effort, you can achieve extraordinary things despite humble beginnings.
Source: Dan Tri Online
