Previously, Mr. Nguyen Kim Khoi (alias Pham Quang Khoi), born in 1963, used to be a technician adjusting embroidery machines at Thang Long Sewing Machine Production Enterprise. At the units he worked later, he was trusted to hold many positions such as head of maintenance team, technical team leader. In addition, he received installation, user instructions and warranty for sewing machines, participated in teaching sewing skills at the elementary level and labor safety instructions for workers.
When his job was on a stable track, in 2004, Mr. Khoi unfortunately had a serious traffic accident during a business trip. He was lucky to survive, but lost one left leg and half of his right foot. During the time at home practicing recovery, he sometimes fell into confusion and despair. "I clung to poles, clung to posts to practice walking, practicing walking step by step. When I took the first step on my own, I was overjoyed and told myself I couldn't give up," he recalled.
After the upheaval, Mr. Nguyen Kim Khoi realized that only labor can help him regain confidence and find meaning in life. He understands the inferiority complex of people with disabilities and wishes not only to stand firm on his own but also to help others rise up in life. From then on, thanks to getting acquainted with small traders at Dong Xuan market, Hang Quat street, Hang Bong street, he became attached to the flag sewing profession.
In the early days, Mr. Khoi asked to receive goods home to sew flags himself. Gradually, he found ways to connect and teach the profession to people in the same situation. The products made by him and people with disabilities received many compliments and positive feedback. From that joy, he planned to open a tailoring workshop, setting a goal to establish a company both to stabilize production and to be a place for people with disabilities to learn the profession and practice.
In 2008, Mr. Nguyen Kim Khoi established the 3.12 flag sewing workshop. In January 2021, due to the requirements of work and changes towards integration, Mr. Khoi decided to establish the Social 3.12 Co., Ltd.; his social enterprise operated more and more stably, creating more job opportunities for people with disabilities.
Mr. Khoi said that each student who comes to study has a different type of disability. "Some students have hearing impairments, some have intellectual disabilities, and some are paralyzed. I hold hands and guide each student, teach to where practice to that point, each student will have a suitable teaching method... I always encourage and motivate them not to be discouraged but will also be strict when needed," Mr. Kim Khoi said.
At Mr. Nguyen Kim Khoi's social enterprise, trainees will work 8 hours/day, and will also receive support of 500,000 VND/month and 1 lunch meal per day. When they are proficient in sewing flags, they are paid a salary corresponding to their capacity and products. Skilled trainees earn 200,000 - 250,000 VND/day, corresponding to an income of 6 - 7 million VND/month.
Not only stopping at vocational training, Mr. Nguyen Kim Khoi also focuses on training students in basic life skills. According to him, each person has different circumstances and personalities, so patience and guidance from the smallest things are needed. "Some people are still clumsy in daily life and communication, but after a while they have learned to change and integrate better," he shared.
As one of the trainees helped by Mr. Nguyen Kim Khoi, Ms. Le Phuong Linh (41 years old, Cau Giay ward, Hanoi) with intellectual disabilities shared that she has studied and worked in flag tailoring for nearly 10 years.
Ms. Linh said that the job not only brings income but also helps her change a lot in spirit. "I feel happier and more confident when working and living with everyone here. Teacher Khoi always creates conditions for me to have a job and motivation to try," Ms. Phuong Linh shared.
From teaching flag tailoring to creating jobs for people with disabilities, Mr. Nguyen Kim Khoi always aims to help more people. He understands that support is not just about teaching the profession, but more importantly, creating opportunities for them to have stable jobs, support themselves and integrate into the community.
With persistent and practical contributions to society, in 2017, Mr. Nguyen Kim Khoi was awarded the title "Good People, Good Deeds" by the Hanoi People's Committee. In 2023, Mr. Nguyen Kim Khoi was awarded the Medal "For the Happiness of Vietnamese People with Disabilities" by the Vietnam Association of People with Disabilities.
