Place of silent miracles

Telling stories with your hands

After many introductions about the somewhat quiet coffee shop on the pine hill in the center of Da Lat, we were surprised when we entered the small space at the Center for Supporting the Development of Inclusive Education in Lam Dong Province (No. 1, Nguyen Khuyen Street, Cam Ly Ward - Da Lat, Lam Dong Province), where there are no songs, no affectionate calls... in the silent world of the children, only sharing and the dream of living a full life.

The shop is essentially a vocational training space for deaf children and is operated entirely by deaf youth, who “speak up” with their skillful hands and expressive eyes. Each drink, each handmade product from paintings, cloth bags, to essential oils is the crystallization of patience, passion and desire to live.

“Everything here is cozy and warm. There is no flashiness, nor the loud calls that are often seen in crowded coffee shops. Coming here, I choose my own seat, signal to order and the staff responds with a smile,” said Ms. Ha Thanh (a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City).

Through research, we learned that the birth of the shop has a very real story, starting from the vibration of a person working in tourism. Mr. Vo Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of Vietravel Lam Dong (founder of the vocational training space for deaf children) confided: "During a visit to Lam Dong School for the Deaf (now the Center for Supporting the Development of Inclusive Education in Lam Dong Province), I saw small gifts made from pine needles, scraps of fabric, clay made by the students, along with the silent dedication of the teachers, which made me ask myself a question: how can those hands see their own value?".

Coffee shop combined with vocational training workshop for hearing-impaired youth at No. 1, Nguyen Khuyen Street, Cam Ly Ward - Da Lat, Lam Dong Province

From that question, a journey with deaf youth began. No need for a communication strategy, no need for a business plan, a vocational training space was born with the desire to help them gain confidence to integrate into the community, to become useful people for society.

“We invite teachers and instructors who share the same empathy to teach the children how to make handicrafts such as paper paintings, sewing combined with artistic embroidery, baking, mixing drinks, etc., following the principle of learning a practical profession, which is suitable for the children's circumstances and helps them to be able to support themselves,” Mr. Vo Anh Tuan shared.

Emotional connection "workshop"

Not only is it a coffee shop and a vocational training center for children with disabilities, it is also an open creative space, hosting workshops on handicrafts, hand embroidery, essential oil blending, etc. Visitors can come here to enjoy coffee and touch real-life stories.

Nguyen Luong Quang (24 years old, employee of the shop), used to live a secluded life after leaving the school for the deaf, confused about the future. But since coming to the shop, Quang has gradually found himself again, found value, faith and a clearer dream. With clumsy but determined handwriting, Quang wrote: "I dream of opening a small coffee shop in the future to create jobs for people like me."

Mr. Le Kim Phuc, Director of We For You Travel Company, confided: “This is a coffee shop, a cultural space, a lively workshop, and a healing experience. Visitors come not only to enjoy the taste but also to feel empathy, something that we sometimes forget in modern life.” Visitors to the shop often bring home more than one handmade craft, a sense of calm, awakening, and belief that there are still many kindnesses and quiet “miracles” somewhere.

“Every time we draw pictures with the children, attach beads to cloth bags or pour wax into a jar of lip balm, we learn to appreciate every small detail of life, learn to connect with emotions instead of words,” shared Ms. Kim Ngan, a regular customer of the shop for the past 5 years.

Strangely, in a place where language is almost absent, people learn more about listening. Here, no one is “defective” but only people who are living every moment to the fullest, contributing with the simplest things, where people learn to love again, appreciate differences and nurture simple but beautiful dreams.

The shop is like a low but not sad note in the harmony of Da Lat mountain town. An indispensable destination for those who are looking for peace, sharing and subtle values in the hustle and bustle of life.

DOAN KIEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/noi-cua-phep-mau-lang-tham-post813853.html