Schools closure due to COVID-19 outbreak left Mr.John, an English teacher in Ho Chi Minh city unemployed. No money to live, he had to beg for help from strangers.
Schools closure due to COVID-19 outbreak left Mr. John, an English teacher in Ho Chi Minh city unemployed. No money to live, he had to beg for help from strangers.
Recently, Thanh Nien newspaper published an article about a foreign teacher, standing at the corner of Vo Van Kiet – Nguyen Tri Phuong street with a board in his hand writing (in Vietnamese) “No job. Help me to buy food. Thank you!”.
He is John (53 years old, British). He came to Vietnam in 2003, worked in Ho Chi Minh city for 6 years then back to the UK. In 2015, he returned to Vietnam to continue working as an English teacher. However, since the COVID-19 outbreak, he has been in difficult situation as there is no way to earn for living.
“I’m ashamed, but I don’t know what else to do”
Mr. John shared “I just came up with this idea last weekend when the savings were exhausted. I stood in the street for about 2 hours. Some people left when they saw me, some gave me VND20,000 – 50,000 (USD 0.86-2.1). With about VND200,000 (USD 8.6), I went home to buy food.”
“The only reason I can do this is because I’m wearing a face mask. People do not recognize who I am. Honestly, I’m ashamed but no longer know what to do. I have to live,” said J.
Mr. John said he worked at a private educational unit in Ho Chi Minh city. For nearly three months now, he has not had any income because all schools and language centers have been closed due to the COVID-19. With the remaining money in his account, John had to pay the visa and the rent, so he could not afford to buy food.
“My income from teaching is about VND20 million per month. I paid the rent VND6 million/month and the visa fee VND4 million/3 months. But now, I’m only spending money, not earning any money. I really have no other choice,” Mr.John shared.
British Embassy in Vietnam was informed about the case
Talking to Vietnamnet in the afternoon of April 13, an employee of the British Embassy in Vietnam said that the embassy had been informed about the case.
“The embassy’s consular section has contacted to this British citizen and is providing him with consular support,” said the Embassy official.
A journalist in Ho Chi Minh city said he had introduced Mr. John to an online school and was being considered.