Truong Thi Linh's learning about parenting

I belong to the Dao ethnic community, and where we live, mobile signal is weak and internet access is very limited. I am not fully fluent in Vietnamese and understanding health information has always been difficult.

My 8-moth baby often choked while eating and no one in the family had any first-aid training. There were moments when his lips turned purple and his body went limp. When that happened, all we could do was pat his back and hope it would help. We didn’t know why it was happening, how to prevent it, or what the right first-aid steps were. Every feeding became a moment of anxiety for our whole family.

When the local health station announced a session on breastfeeding and choking first aid, I knew I had to attend. Even though there was heavy rain and flooding that day, I made sure to go. I arrived early with my baby and waited. I didn’t want to miss it.

During the session, we watched short videos with clear pictures and simple explanations. The visuals helped me follow along. The health workers then showed me, step by step, how to respond if my baby choked. 

Now, I am determined to attend all the upcoming sessions. These practical lessons are essential. I tell other mothers in my community to join. This programme has given me knowledge, confidence, and peace of mind.