"The foreigner" helps hearing-impaired children light up their dreams in the kitchen.

QTO - Although from the United States, Robert Danhi has a deep love for Vietnam, its people, and its cuisine. This love has motivated him to engage in many activities to support the people here. In particular, for nearly two years, Robert and his friends have been helping hearing-impaired children in Quang Tri province realize their dreams through their kitchens.

Joy from a special kitchen

Despite the cold weather, the atmosphere in the kitchen of the Provincial Special Education School felt like spring. With bright faces, the hearing-impaired 6th-grade students attentively watched their teacher demonstrate how to prepare traditional dishes. Every now and then, a student would volunteer, using their hands to send questions. As the practical part began, the kitchen became even more lively. Thanks to the children's dexterity, many delicious dishes were cooked and arranged like a feast.

Standing in the kitchen to teach cooking skills to her students, Ms. Hoang Thi Duyen rarely takes a break. While busy preparing the kitchen, utensils, and ingredients, she constantly uses sign language to communicate with her students. Despite this, a smile is always on Ms. Duyen's face. The children's enthusiasm motivates her. "I want to work with other teachers to compensate for the disadvantages our students face," Ms. Duyen shared.

Chef Robert Danhi has many fond memories with his hearing-impaired students - Photo: QH

For nearly two years now, cooking classes for hearing-impaired children at the Provincial Special Education School have been held regularly every Friday, for children aged 10-14. In these classes, the children learn many skills such as: distinguishing spices, selecting ingredients, preparing food, organizing the kitchen, and cooking. The classes are not rigid or overly academic, so all the children look forward to them. Many days, even before class starts, the children have already lined up in front of the kitchen door.

According to Ms. Duyen, many hearing-impaired students have long dreamed of cooking delicious meals. Therefore, when the sponsor made that dream a reality, they cherished the opportunity. They all actively participated in the learning process. “Besides their inherent dexterity, these hearing-impaired children are very serious about their studies. As a result, many mastered the skills after just a few lessons. They hope to have the opportunity to cook delicious meals for the special guest who helped them reach their dream kitchen,” Ms. Duyen shared.

Come to love

The "special guest" that Ms. Duyen mentioned is Robert Danhi, a renowned chef. Robert Danhi was formerly a lecturer at the Culinary Academy of America. In his career, he won the "Best Asian Cookbook in America" ​​award and second place in the "Best Asian Cookbook Worldwide " award for his book "Southeast Asian Flavors," which chronicles his culinary research in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Robert Danhi also hosted the "Taste of Vietnam" program on HTV7. People often call Robert "the foreigner promoting Vietnamese cuisine."

About 26 years ago, Robert Danhi first set foot in Vietnam. He arrived in a foreign country, yet everything felt very familiar. Robert clearly felt the friendliness of the people here. Every time he went out to buy bread or went to the morning market, he was greeted with smiles. When Robert visited restaurants or kitchens to learn from them, people readily shared their recipes passed down through generations. Thanks to this, Robert was able to easily carry out his plans and projects.

Director of the CDF Foundation Nguyen Xuan Tam (left) and a teacher guiding hearing-impaired children in preparing food - Photo: QH

Having a deep affection for Vietnam, Robert Danhi always wanted to do something to help the people there. In 2004, during a visit to Quang Tri , he stopped by a cafe called "Tam" and stayed for a few weeks, teaching the young deaf staff how to make pizza, iced coffee, and snacks. A year later, he brought Chef Lon Symensma to help. Before parting ways, the two chefs held a party at the cafe and invited everyone to celebrate. "Chef Lon was in charge of the bar, and I was in the kitchen making pizza. We worked very hard and smiled all night. It was a very memorable time," Robert recounted.

Returning to the US, Robert Danhi's memories remained deeply ingrained, motivating him to continue his work supporting hearing-impaired children. Through the Quang Tri Provincial Community Development Fund (CDF), he used his own money and mobilized additional resources to help children at the Provincial Special Education School have the opportunity to learn cooking and gardening. To secure over $33,000 in funding, Robert and The Tribe group (Hanoi) organized a fundraising event. In June 2024, they jointly implemented their first activities: building a kitchen to serve teaching and learning; training teachers; designing training programs, etc.

Ignite the dreams

Since the cooking class for hearing-impaired children was organized, Chef Robert Danhi has returned to Quang Tri more frequently. Most recently, he brought walnuts from the United States to teach the children how to prepare a popular snack. Watching Robert showcase his skills in the kitchen, everyone was impressed. The children all dreamed of becoming a chef, a renowned food promoter like Robert.

Having shared her dream with Robert Danhi, Hoang Linh Nhi has been working hard every day to become a skilled chef in the future. Born and raised in Hieu Giang commune, Nhi has been deaf to the joyful sounds of life since childhood. Therefore, this hearing-impaired girl has always been withdrawn, almost without dreams or ambitions. “After going to school and then stepping into this kitchen, I have found meaning in life. I believe tomorrow will be brighter,” Nhi shared using sign language.

Like Linh Nhi, Truong Cong Huy can now prepare many delicious dishes. Since he was little, whenever he saw his mother in the kitchen, Huy would always help out. Each time, his mother would pat his head and praise him. When he participated in cooking classes, the teacher, sponsors, and others also showed Huy the same affectionate gestures. Using his hands, Huy confided: "I heard Robert Danhi say that in his country there are many very talented chefs despite being hearing and visually impaired. I will study hard to be like them."

Regularly visiting the cooking class, CDF Foundation Director Nguyen Xuan Tam understands the dreams and hopes of Huy, Nhi, and other hearing-impaired students. This is also the motivation that drives him, along with Chef Robert and the sponsors, to continue. “We have just proposed and initially received support from a non-governmental organization in Hoi An. If the collaborative program is successfully developed, some talented students here will be selected and given opportunities to pursue culinary arts, work in restaurants and hotels… and improve their English. Each step forward in this kitchen will bring them closer to a brighter future,” Mr. Tam affirmed.

Quang Hiep

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202601/ong-tay-giup-tre-khiem-thinh-thap-sang-uoc-mo-trong-can-bep-c741e6e/