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Survivor Stories
 Duong Dinh Phuong - Vietnam
Duong Dinh Phuong, shown here feeding fish, still experienced pain at age 63 from landmine injuries suffered at the age of 25. Overwhelmed with pain and fear, he did not know how he would be able to continue to support himself and his family. But, with a little help and hope from LSN, his story has a happy ending.
More than 30 years after a landmine injury suffered at the age of 25, Duong Dinh Phuong of Vietnam still experienced pain related to his accident on a battlefield in 1968. Though he was able to recover enough to find work doing manual labor and start a family, as the years went by, the pain in his leg grew increasingly worse, and Phuong feared for his ability to continue to provide for his family.
Phuong had ideas for starting a new business by converting his land into a fish farm, but he needed assistance. He applied numerous times for bank loans, but was turned down each time due to his disability. His health was deteriorating and he was starting to lose hope.
A neighbor told Phuong about LSN. There he met Luu, an LSN Outreach Worker. Luu referred Phuong to the Farmer’s Union where he attended workshops on fresh water fish raising. LSN provided Phuong with a grant and small business management training. Phuong felt a surge of hope and poured all of his efforts into making this new business venture a success.
A pond was dug and a water inlet and outlet system was installed to create ideal growth conditions for the fish. Within three months, Phuong had raised 700 tenches and 200 carp, and was able to harvest enough to sell in the market. He was ecstatic. The pain in his leg had subsided and he felt more agile than he had in years.
In time, Phuong had saved enough to purchase and plant fruit trees near his pond to further increase his income earning potential. The orchard was so successful that in 2005, he was able to donate over 30 trees to poorer households in his village. He taught them how to plant and care for the trees so that they could be more independent as well.
Finally — at age 63 — he feels financially secure and able to provide for his family.
Phuong says, “Thanks, LSN, very much for giving me a chance to fulfill my wish. LSN not only gives me a stable job, but acts as a flame to warm my soul, as well as other landmine survivors’ souls everywhere.”
This holiday season give back with a gift of hope. There are many more landmine victims, like Duong Dinh Phuong, waiting for financial support.
View the next profile: Hoang Xuan Quang
Less than 10 percent of landmine survivors have access to proper medical care and rehabilitation. Please visit our Donate Now section and see what you can do to help landmine survivors around the world.
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