Playing Beyond Sight in Vietnam

In parts of Cambodia and Vietnam, God has given Samaritan’s Purse opportunities to demonstrate His heart for children, as we have worked to build dozens of schools and vocational centres. This is one of those student’s stories…

An’s Musical Journey

In a twilight lit hall, the final note fades, and the crowd rises in applause. An, a 22-year-old blind violinist, smiles with relief and pride. The moment I played alongside my fellow musicians and heard the applause, I felt valued, she said. I played like l’d never played before. An lost her sight at 11 months old after a fall caused a blood clot that damaged her optic nerve. A long scar across her head tells the story of multiple surgeries and treatments. Following her doctor’s advice, An’s mother introduced her to music as therapy-saving up for a piano despite financial hardship.

I remember how excited I was when the piano arrived. I kept opening and closing the lid, playing random notes— it was the first instrument I ever touched.

By third grade, music had become more than therapy; it was a dream. Though often overlooked at school, one teacher saw her potential and invited her to join the band. From there, her journey never stopped. An’s biggest challenge wasn’t blindness or poverty, but the stigma around her impairment. That changed when she was invited to perform at Dining in the Dark, a concert celebrating musicians with disabilities. With encouragement from mentors, An went on to perform at several national festivals winning two gold awards and proving her blindness is but just a difference— not a misfortune.

I remember every name and voice from the Samaritan’s Purse team. You’ve been with me since I was a little girl. Thank you—truly.