Profile- Ly Ta May

Now that the June team has just wrapped up work in Vietnam, I have taken some time to reflect on my experiences in the village and some of the impacts it had on me. In Ta Phin, I was overwhelmed by the kindness displayed by the local Red Dao women. Even though some of them had very little English, their warmth and came through their non-verbal gestures. Although I can say with confidence that I felt a connection with everyone I met, there were some women that stood out to me more than others. One of these women was Ly Ta May.

Ly Ta May (pictured with her younger sister Lo May) had a sense of determination and eagerness to learn that could not be matched. Living a whopping hour long away from the central area, she walked in everyday to attend class and did everything in her power to encourage her friends and family to join in as well.

With three kids and a husband who is an expert in silver, Ly Ta May also owns a little building where many of the street sellers congregate around to escape from the rain and embroider. She is enthusiastic to transform this into a shop where she can sell her essential oils. She works hard with other women in the community to grow the herbs she needs for these oils and even created a partnership with a German company who help facilitate her project.

When we held our sign making shop on one of the last days in the village, she was the first there with all of her tools ready to go. She even sketched out her “vision” and looked for advice on how to make business cards. Ly Ta May was so busy trying to help everyone else with their signs that hers began to take the backburner; Testament to her compassion and regard for others. We were determined to see hers come to life, and even though it took a couple of attempts, the final product was better than her initial vision.

Ly Ta May is a true leader and has now become someone in the village who many of the other women come to ask for English lessons.

I think there are misconceptions about minority groups like the Red Dao- Although they have very little education and resources, they are not to be underestimated. They are savvy business women, intelligent, and they work very hard for everything they have. They have the “street smarts” that so many more fortunate people lack. When I think about the future of this project, I think about women like Ly Ta May and how with continued education and support there is really no telling what they could accomplish.