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| Vun art products made at the Tam Binh Center for Children with Disabilities |
Where fabric scraps are not waste
Visiting Tam Binh Center for Children with Disabilities one morning, we found more than 10 children gathered around, working in various stages of making handmade products. Remarkably, the materials in their hands were leftover fabric scraps collected from tailoring shops. The children give these scraps a ‘new life’ under the name ‘vun art’ (the art made from fabric scraps).
While guiding the children, Ms. Vo Thi My Hanh, a teacher of pre-vocational training and skills, said: “Each child here has a different background and type of disability. However, when they learn to make these products, they find joy and learn patience. It was difficult at first, but gradually, they have learned to make the products themselves”.
A wide range of unique vun art products has been created, from handbags, water bottle holders, greeting cards, keychains, bookmarks, to paintings. Each product requires a different technique, but all begin with the same basic steps: printing the template, gluing it onto template paper, cutting out the template, separating the pieces, cutting the base fabric, ironing it in place, heat pressing, and finally the detailed finishing touches.
Le Thi Thu Mai, who is learning to make vun art products at Tam Binh Center for Children with Disabilities, shared: “With the teachers’ guidance, after a year, I can make many different products. This craft not only brings us joy, but also helps us develop patience and skills and gain a better understanding of aesthetics. What makes us even happier is that the small pieces of fabric are not thrown away, but can be turned into beautiful items”.
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| Unique products made from fabric scraps |
Pre-vocational training for children with disabilities
Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Van, Director of Tam Binh Center for Children with Disabilities, said: “We have made many products, but our goal is not yet to sell them commercially, even though many visitors came to buy and show their support. What matters most to us is pre-vocational training. Vun art products require considerable skill and effort, which will nurture the children’s determination and open up opportunities for them in the future.”
Ms. Vo Thi My Hanh said that for many children with disabilities, taking part in making handmade products has brought positive changes to their daily lives. They have more opportunities to interact with others, develop patience, and form the habit of working through tasks step by step. Their first products may not be perfect, but every small step forward brings them joy and confidence.
According to the leaders of Tam Binh Center for Children with Disabilities, many more product ideas will be implemented in the coming time, including building sets for children, clothing items, and souvenirs. All will make use of leftover fabric to create unique vun art handmade products.
What teachers at the center for children with disabilities hope to achieve is not only to create unique and useful products, but also to help change society’s perception of children with disabilities. When given opportunities and provided with a suitable environment, they are fully capable of learning vocational skills, working, and contributing to the best of their abilities.