Thuy grew up unwanted and shamed.  Her parents weren't married when they had her and blamed their daughter for their misfortunes and the shunning they received from Thuy's grandparents and the community.

After a few years, Thuy's grandparents felt bad about what they had done and took her in to live with them. While living there, one of her cousins sexually abused her.  Thuy says that she's felt insecure around men and boys ever since and it has hindered her from trusting people.

When Thuy's grandfather died, she went back to live with her parents who physically and verbally abused her.  Sometimes her dad would even force her to eat pig slop and the day she went to take an advanced school exam, her father dipped her clothes in pig manure and told her she would have to wear them if she wanted to write the test. 

Even the littlest things like overcooking a pot of rice, and her father would send her into isolation.  Thuy ate by herself while the rest of the family would eat together.  Thuy became a maid for her family.  What was worse, her parent's second daughter was treated well.

Thuy managed to complete two years of university in biology.  Because of the abuse at home, she was too upset to concentrate and got poor marks.  Thuy became increasingly reserved and withdrawn - she didn't trust anyone, and didn't want to talk or interact with anyone.

She finally managed to run away and went to the domestic violence shelter where she stayed for a total of six months where she got involved with Hagar.  Thuy is afraid to go home even though her parents and her sister have not tried to contact her.

When Thuy started Empowering Women for Life training with Hagar, she wouldn't say a word to anyone. If she did speak, it was so quiet you could barely hear her. After the first few sessions, she started to open up and speak out more. It was clear that she was a thoughtful and intelligent woman. 

"In the beginning of training I tried to keep my emotions in check," Thuy says.  "I didn't allow myself to feel too happy with everyone or too sad. Now I feel more open, and I feel I can understand everyone much better."

Thuy has grown and begun to heal.  She is training to become a baker at Hagar's partner, Hoa Sua.  She dreams of being an independent woman with stable finances.  Thuy is a hard worker and won a scholarship for being one of the best students in baking.

While her biggest fear going into the vocational training was that she wouldn't be able to get along with people like in the past, Thuy has surprised herself.  She is making new friends at school and believes that Hagar's personal development training was part of her transformation. 

Thuy still loves her parents and hopes to reunite with them again one day where they will see her as a successful and independent woman.