A disabled worker revives an old computer, giving opportunities to people in need

(Dan Tri) - Amidst the chaos of old electronic components, Mr. Nguyen Duy Tuong (Bac Ninh) groped to collect, repair, and assemble them into computers to give to those in need.

From things that seem to be thrown away

Every day, after taking his daughter to school on a tricycle, Mr. Nguyen Duy Tuong, a two-legged worker with 13 years of experience working as a computer repairman, rushes back to his familiar work corner and diligently restores his unfinished machine.

He started his computer repair job in August 2013, which was also the time to turn his love for technology into a long-term career.

Nearly two years ago, that work became more meaningful when he began collecting old components, selecting and restoring them into usable machines to give to those in need.

Through surrounding relationships, disabled workers are constantly looking for sources of electronic components.

"There were people who knew what I did, so they proactively collected it and sent it back. There were customers who brought their old machines in for repair, then said that the machines were too old and no longer needed, so they left them for me," Mr. Tuong shared.

But for a computer to truly "come back to life", it sometimes takes months.

Some machines lack RAM, some have a hard drive that is too weak, some have to replace the screen, battery or keyboard.

He must patiently try each component, classify it, and then calculate which parts can be combined together. Only when he had enough did he start assembling.

To date, Mr. Tuong has donated about 15 computers to poor students and disadvantaged students.

Although the above number is not large, behind each machine are many hours of repair and expenses that he cannot bear all by himself.

"The results are brought about by many other people, but it is not entirely my own effort," he said.

Battery sponsor, keyboard sponsor, hard drive sponsor. Those small contributions come together, just like how he assembles each component to create a complete machine.

And then the machines will then go to places where they can create value.

"There was a student who passed the entrance exam to Polytechnic University, but his family was poor and could not buy a computer. There was also someone who, after being discharged from the army, unfortunately had an accident, suffered spinal cord paralysis and became disabled, also received a computer," Mr. Tuong said.

Recently, I am a single disabled mother with two school-aged children and wanted to have a computer.

When texting him, the woman just said: "I'm just sharing with you, I don't dare to hope too much."

Instances like this make him want to do more. Because for him, the most valuable thing is the opportunity that opens up after each gift.

"If you want to thank, it's not necessary to thank yourself. Do the same things with others so those values ​​continue to spread," he expressed.

The boy once secretly studied with his younger brother and became the university valedictorian

Behind the image of a man sitting in a wheelchair diligently repairing each computer is a journey unlike many other children.

When he was only 5 months old, Mr. Tuong unfortunately contracted polio, a disease that caused him to completely lose the ability to walk in his legs.

When he finished first grade, he had to drop out of school because the school moved to a location far from home, making transportation too big of an obstacle.

But his time away from the classroom didn't make learning disappear from his life.

At that time, even though he had just finished first grade, he could rhyme and read words quite fluently. Therefore, even though he could not go to school, he taught himself through books, seeing it as a door to the outside world.

"Geography, history, literature and any knowledge that could be found on the pages of books, I read passionately," he recalls.

Four years later, when his younger brother, 4 years younger than him, started 2nd grade, the opportunity to study again came by chance.

He often secretly goes to school with his younger brother. One time, he crawled under the table to write an article for his friends and was discovered. The principal then did not punish him, but just gently asked: "Do you want to go to school?".

He answered clearly: "Yes."

From then on, the younger brother became the "legs" that took the older brother to school. The younger brother carried him on his back every day until the 4th grade. When they learned to ride a bicycle, the two brothers rode together to class.

Just like that, until the end of grade 12, the two brothers always attended the same school, and some years they were in the same class.

Also during those years, Mr. Tuong found his love for technology. In particular, for a person who has many limitations in movement, technology also brings a miracle. It is the ability to work without being much limited by your feet.

In 2006, after his own efforts, he passed the exam and became the valedictorian of the Information Technology major at Thai Nguyen University.

"I always feel lucky because I have the opportunity to go to school and pursue my dream," Mr. Tuong expressed.

After graduating, he worked in the technology field where he had interned and diligently learned more about computer hardware for many years before returning to his hometown to open a store.

"Twitter reincarnation" of disabled workers

Along with his journey of pursuing a career, Mr. Tuong still maintains another attachment that began in his college years, which is community activities and supporting people with disabilities.

From his third year, he established a student volunteer club, attached to the Thai Nguyen Association of People with Disabilities. Activities at that time were very ordinary such as helping members harvest rice, build houses, build roads, give warm blankets and popularize information technology.

When he returned to Bac Ninh to start a business, he continued to participate in activities to support people with disabilities, including networking programs and donating wheelchairs.

"For disabled people, a wheelchair is no longer a vehicle, it can be a pair of legs. For example, for me, a wheelchair is a pair of legs," Mr. Tuong shared.

Therefore, anyone who has an old wheelchair, whether in good condition or broken, can send it to him. He checked, repaired and then found the person who needed it to return it to them, helping them save some money.

Over time, from wheelchairs, he expanded to collecting crutches, bicycles, books, and computers to give to people who really need them.

Besides maintaining the "regeneration workshop", he also opens free online information technology classes, instructing people with disabilities to use computers, Word, Excel and other work tools.

After all, joy for him is simply the feeling of "being valuable".

The value of someone who can do something great is not the value of being able to share with everyone what they know, helping others with the smallest things.

And he often tells people with disabilities that they don't necessarily have to do something big to prove their worth.

Sometimes, it's just about spreading joy and the will to live to those around you, and the spirit of being willing to reach out to help others when they need it.

Perhaps from that same thought, he continues to diligently collect old electronic components every day. He doesn't know how many more machines he can make, nor how many people he can help.

"I just know, if there are components, then collect them, if there is anything missing, then find a way to supplement it," he said.

From seemingly discarded items, he always finds a way to give them another life. For those who are having difficulty, he hopes that what he can do can open up for them an opportunity to study, a job and maybe a new start.