Hope rises from Agent Orange's shadow

The war may be over, but the effects of Agent Orange/dioxin still haunt many Vietnamese families. Yet, even in that pain, there are signs of hope—people who rise above their difficult circumstances. Take the story of a young man with severe disabilities, caused by the dioxin exposure his father suffered while fighting in Quang Tri. His journey is a powerful example of resilience.

The poem serves as the opening words of the book "Colors of Hope" by Do Ha Cu, who has spent his entire life in a wheelchair.

Despite being unable to manage his daily activities and having never attended formal schooling, Do Ha Cu — a second-generation victim of Agent Orange/dioxin—has published this book with the assistance of his friends.

Over the past nine years, Do Ha Cu and his friends have launched the “Reading Space of Hope,” which has since welcomed tens of thousands of readers. They have established 32 reading spaces across the country, all managed by people with disabilities.

Due to his severe disability, Cu could not attend school. However, after seeing blind students on television learning to read braille, he asked himself, “Why can’t I learn to read when I have sight?” At the age of 10, Cu insisted that his mother teach him how to read.

Cu's love for books grew day by day. The "Reading Space of Hope" has become a bridge that has connected him with new friends, allowing them to spread the love of reading, and share positive and meaningful seeds of hope./.