Two excellent storytellers, Dr. Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, director of SCDI and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuy, member alliance “Ve nha” (Coming home), participated in the 14th Women's Storytelling Salo in Manzi, Phan Huy Ich, Hanoi. According to Irene Ohler, Salon founder: "The 14th Women's Storytelling Salon in Hanoi was one of our most emotional Salons yet, telling "Stories from the Margins".
 
Through this story, Dr. Oanh, Thuy and Irehn Ohler have been trying to bring the voices of the most marginalized, vulnerable members of society, especially female sex workers and drug addicts, closer to the listener. “Ms Thuy's stories of her life, which most of us can't even imagine, deeply touched all of us; and I know many went home sharing her stories with your daughters, sons, and friends..." Irene Ohler said.

Photo (from left to right): Dr. Oanh, Irene, Thuy and Kieu An (translator). Source: Mai Anh

Ms Thuy's stories also showed so clearly what drives Dr. Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, and her NGO, the Center for Support Community Development Initiatives (SCDI), and how much impact they have already been able to achieve, both, on a community level as well as on a government policy level in Vietnam. 

" The 14th Women's Storytelling Salon in Hanoi was one of our most emotional Salons yet, telling "Stories from the Margins"

Irene Ohler, Salon founder and event coordinator

Photo: Speakers of the talk. Source: Mai Anh

SCDI would like to express our gratitude to the Organizing Committee of the Salon for their purpose of "connecting and inspiring women - regardless of nationality, generation, origin, occupation, thus creating a solid community of women."

Photo: Audiences and guests at Salon. Source: Mai Anh

Vân Anh