Tien was just 16 when her world changed forever. Raised by her father’s family after her parents divorced, she longed for a mother’s love and the warmth of a stable home. But instead of finding comfort, she was deceived by a group of traffickers and taken to China, where she was forced into marriage—not once, but three times.
For nearly two years, Tien endured unimaginable hardship before she finally managed to escape back to Vietnam. She thought she was finally safe. But instead of being welcomed home, she was met with whispers, judgment, and rejection. People in her hometown avoided her, looked down on her, and treated her like she no longer belonged. The pain of their words and stares cut deep. She lost her confidence, felt completely alone, and even considered ending her life.
But Tien’s story did not end there.
A government agency referred her to Hagar, where she received shelter, medical care, counseling, and life skills training. With the support of Hagar’s team, she found her voice again—and with it, the courage to dream of a different future.
Tien had always loved learning, but poverty had kept her from going back to school. With Hagar’s support, she re-enrolled in the 8th grade—years behind her classmates. At first, it was terrifying. She felt out of place and feared more rejection. But step by step, she proved to herself and everyone around her just how strong she was.
Today, Tien is in 12th grade, earning top marks and preparing for her university entrance exams. She dreams of becoming a social worker to help others who have suffered as she once did.
“Going to school felt like a nightmare at first. The stigma, the whispers, the judgment—it hurt so much. But Hagar never stopped believing in me, and slowly, I started believing in myself too. Now, I know I can do anything. Life is beautiful, and I have so many dreams waiting for me.” — Tien
Hagar is committed to ensuring survivors like Tien get the education they deserve. We cover tuition, books, uniforms, and meals—everything needed to create a safe, supportive learning environment. We also work closely with schools and teachers to combat stigma and discrimination, so every survivor has the chance to rebuild their future with dignity and hope.
Because of people like you, Tien is not just surviving—she’s thriving.
