Pay back life…

(Baonghean) - On Provincial Road 532 passing through Tho Hop Commune (Quy Hop), there is a special auto repair shop. The owner of that business regularly accepts prisoners who have completed their prison terms or are in difficult circumstances to provide vocational training and create jobs for them. What is more special is that the owner himself is someone who once served a sentence for a mistake in the past. The story of Pham Thiet Tuong's (born in 1973) efforts to reform, overcome mistakes to become a small boss, and open his arms to help those who have made mistakes, is admired by everyone...

Pham Thiet Tuong was born into a poor family of 8 brothers and sisters in Phu Vang district, Thua Thien - Hue province. The hardships from his childhood soon created his will and hard-working personality. Aware of his family's situation, Tuong dropped out of school early to work to help his parents and take care of his younger siblings. Luck came to Tuong when his uncle guided him to study auto repair. After completing the course, he went to the South and North to look for work. When he had solid skills and was trusted by customers, he decided to stop and start a business in Nghe An.

Mr. Pham Thiet Tuong's auto repair shop is in Lien Tan hamlet, Tho Hop commune (Quy Hop).

In 1996, Tuong went to work for a repair shop in Vinh City. Two years later, through a relationship, Pham Viet Tuong went to the mountainous district of Quy Hop to start a business. In 1998, he opened a shop in Quy Hop Town and married Dang Thi Van. Happiness seemed complete when he had a peaceful family, a job suitable to his abilities and a good child. However, because of his hot temper, he had to go to jail. In 2006, due to a conflict with a customer who refused to pay for his car repair, the two sides argued, Tuong could not control himself and beat the customer, injuring him. With the crime of intentionally causing injury, Tuong was sentenced to 24 months in prison, serving his sentence at Prison No. 6, Ministry of Public Security, located in Thanh Chuong district. Tuong said that his mistake at that time was just because of "anger".

During his sentence, Tuong was assigned to the car repair team. He tried to reform himself and stick with the prison guards, improving his skills by learning from his predecessors. For him, this was not a meaningless time, but in return, it helped him learn many lessons and gain a lot of experience in dealing with people. When he returned, Tuong continued to work as a car repairman. With his previous job reputation, experience accumulated in the camp, and loans from relatives, he set up an auto repair shop in Lien Tan hamlet, Tho Hop commune (Quy Hop). Pham Thiet Tuong shared: "When the workshop started operating, I thought about helping people who had made mistakes, giving them the opportunity to reform. During my time with fellow prisoners, I understood that their greatest wish was to quickly find a stable job when they were released from prison to start their lives over. Everyone has made certain mistakes and had to pay the price. After completing their prison term, finding a job will be an opportunity for them to avoid re-offending and become useful people."

Currently, those who work here have capital and experience, so they have opened their own workshops or worked for other workshops. The case of Mr. Tran Ngoc Son, currently living in Dong Hop commune (Quy Hop) is an example. After returning from the army, he participated in local economic development. During a trip transporting materials, Son caused a traffic accident that resulted in the death of the victim. His family sued, so he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The day he left the prison gate, Son was sad, self-conscious and worried, while his family was lacking in every way, and his parents were old and weak. In the most difficult time, Son boldly sought out Mr. Tuong and he happily accepted. Up to now, not only has he had a stable job to support his wife and children, and take care of his elderly parents, but Son also has a stable life with a decent income. In addition to Mr. Son, in Pham Viet Tuong's repair shop there are also Mr. Pham Thao, Mr. Nhat (Hue), Mr. Ngan, Mr. Hoa (Quy Hop), after learning and having jobs, they have brought in an income of 6 to 8 million VND/month. Some have opened their own repair shops, such as Mr. Nam in Nghia Dan district, Mr. Hung in Quynh Luu district.

Coming to Mr. Tuong, workers who once made mistakes not only have the opportunity to find a job but also learn from the factory owner about aspirations, the will to reform, the way of life to love people, and share difficulties. Talking about his work, Mr. Tuong confided: Since the opening of the factory until now, more than 100 people have come to learn the trade and work as workers at the factory, including 11 people who were "fellow prisoners", they are people in the same situation so they always have sympathy, no separation, inferiority complex... Not only is he determined to work and help people who made mistakes, Pham Thiet Tuong is also an active factor in the movement "All people protect the security of the Fatherland", providing many sources of information about crimes to the authorities, contributing to ensuring security and order in the area.

In recognition of his determination and contributions in helping people who have made mistakes, in July 2014, Pham Thiet Tuong was awarded a certificate of merit by the Provincial Police and a certificate of merit by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for his achievements in community reintegration.

\

Article, photo: Mr. Dung