Finding Joy, Healing Relationships

“It’s been 20 years since I last sat down to colour.”
“When I was younger, I used to join activities like this with the youth.”
“I may be older now, but taking part in today’s session still brings me so much joy.”

These heartfelt words came from participants in a recent group session for couples, held on March 26 in Túc Đán commune, Trạm Tấu district. With the theme Peaceful Communication and Healing Family Relationships, the session created a safe and welcoming space for 23 participants—including couples and women from the community—to connect, share, and learn together.

Through interactive activities, participants discovered simple yet powerful communication skills that can be applied at home—small but meaningful steps toward building more peaceful, supportive families.

Ms. Tô Thị Hạnh, Trauma-Informed Care Advisor at Hagar, reflected:

“The active participation of ethnic Mông and Thái participants brought many honest and powerful stories—stories that reflect lives filled with hard work, and very little space for joy or emotional connection within the family. Through this session, many began to realise that while everyone longs for a happy home, few had ever taken intentional steps to create one. This awareness is a powerful first step toward strengthening family bonds and reducing the risk of emotional or physical violence.”

This activity is part of the project Reducing Gender-Based Violence and Supporting At-Risk Women and Girls in Northern Ethnic Minority Communities in Vietnam, implemented by Hagar International in Văn Yên and Trạm Tấu districts, Yên Bái province.

Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through Hagar Australia, the project works to raise awareness, prevent violence, and foster healing for individuals affected by gender-based violence, trafficking, and exploitation. By restoring safety and dignity, it is helping survivors and communities move forward with greater resilience and hope.