by Van Anh

12 January 2006

Hai Phong, Viet Nam: English study may be regarded as a luxury for people living with HIV/AIDS, but 35-year-old Kim Thi Hau says it has invigorated her struggle for a brighter future.

There are many reasons for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to study English. "Proficiency in English enables me to understand labels and instructions on ARV [anti-retroviral] medication by myself," she said, revealing the immediate, practical side for people in her situation.

"I was infected by my intravenous drug-addicted husband, but my four-year old son is free from the disease, so I need to live for him now," she said.

Hau is a member of Hai Phong’s Hoa Phuong Do self-help group, and studies under the English Tutoring Scheme conducted by the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) programme in Viet Nam. Launched last year, the tutoring scheme works with people living with HIV/AIDS, and those affected by the disease, including families, doctors, nurses, social workers and public healthcare officials.

Some students say the benefits go beyond simply learning a new language. Hau said that while studying English and speaking to PLWHA, her ability to communicate with people in Vietnamese also improved, and felt she could better empathize with others. "I’ve become much closer to people who are seriously ill and will die soon."

The volunteer tutoring programme operates in Ha Noi and Hai Phong with ongoing support from 12 to 15 national and international volunteers, and around 80 students have so far benefited from the programme.

Building confidence

"Proficiency in English helps PLWHA strengthen their self-confidence by overcoming the psychological barrier of talking to foreigners," said the manager of the UNV English Tutoring Scheme for PLWHA, Philipp Essl.

He explained that many programme participants faced stigmatization and discrimination, and the English Tutoring programme, part of the Greater Involvement for People Living with HIV Project, was designed to help people overcome both these issues.

Although not HIV positive, one young student joined the Hoa Phuong Do English classes as an HIV/AIDS activist to work with the self-help group. "PLWHA are just like me and you. Discrimination against them is unfair," she said. "I want to help these women spread information about HIV/AIDS prevention to the community."

Her all-woman group has 8 key members, and about 50 regular supporters. They take care of each other when they are ill, and help families when members die of AIDS-related diseases.
Tonia Timperley, a Canadian Viet kieu (overseas Vietnamese) UNV English tutor in Ha Noi, said she encourages students to at least appear confident when they speak English, which then translates into actual self-confidence.

Timperley, who teaches doctors and nurses working with PLWHA at the Dong Da District Health Centre, said her students were driven by a strong motivation to help others, and worked very hard to overcome the challenges of learning a new language.

Approaching donors

Pham Thanh Van, a UNV English tutor working with the Hoa Phuong Do group in Hai Phong, said the programme raised the profile of HIV/AIDS awareness activities conducted by the group. Members now had more opportunities to communicate with donor groups, including international non-governmental organisations.

"By speaking English they can approach donation sources for funds to finance their activities, and have access to the latest information on medication, treatment, and HIV/AIDS prevention. In this way they become effective sources of information for the community."

Van explained that despite the sad reality that many students are conscious that they might not live long enough to speak English proficiently, they strongly encourage other PLWHA to join the classes.
Essl said demand for new classes was very high, and that he was working on strengthening their organizational capacity in order to guarantee the long-term sustainability of the programme. He said extending the scheme was vital, but that it depended on finding sources of funding.

Building leadership

Essl said the English tutoring scheme was especially important for people in leadership positions representing the HIV/AIDS community. He said that because these people are particularly exposed to the international community, they had an extra incentive to improve their English ability. "We focus on that by offering intensive one-on-one tutoring to PLWHA in community leadership positions, such as leaders of self-help groups," he said.

Essl said the scheme was part of an overall plan to empower people at the grassroots level to be community leaders affecting real social change.
He said the leadership focus is also true for people who work with people who are HIV positive. Staff from numerous self-help groups, local and international NGOs and local health centres also benefit from the programme.

Pham Thi Hue, 25, founder of the Hoa Phuong Do group is one community leader benefiting from the scheme. "As the group’s leader, I meet and communicate with international supporters, including donor organisations. I found not being able to speak English well previously held me back," she said.
The strong positive attitude and inspiring spirit of the students motivates the volunteer teachers to continue their work. As Hoa Phuong Do class member Hau said, "Even though I may not live a long life, learning English will definitely help me."