Sweetie’s Business Plan for New Manicure and Pedicure Salon

Sweetie grew up as a child in a close-knit family in rural Vietnam. Due to poverty, she fell into the trap of an international human-trafficking group that lured her into leaving the village to travel to Macau and Hong Kong on the false promise of waitressing jobs. Her story of how she ended up as a sex worker in Hong Kong and how God completely transformed her life is a testament to the healing and restorative love of the Father.

Sweetie had felt trapped and unhappy for many years since her arrival in Hong Kong and could not see a way out of her misery. She then met the Outreach Team from Sons & Daughters who visited her workplace every week in 2020/2021 to shine the love of Christ and befriended her. After gaining trust and confidence with the team, she finally took the courage to leave the sex industry and joined the S&D Aftercare Program, where she received professional counselling that assisted in the healing process.

S&D assisted in identifying new career opportunities for her, providing coaching in basic interviewing skills and preparing for new employment. She learned new skills in sewing, candle-making and attended classes in computer skills, basic business and finance. She also enjoys daily Bible reading and worship at Promise House and also attended the Alpha course at the Centre. Sweetie told me that she remembers her mother bringing her family to a missionary church in her village when she was a child, and those memories had naturally drawn her closer to the word of God at S&D in Hong Kong.

Supported financially by S&D since June 2021, she has now successfully completed an international professional certificate as a nail technician in December 2021. After completing the S&D Aftercare Program, Sweetie has decided to start her own small business in providing manicure and pedicure services in Hong Kong.

Sweetie has personally testified on how God has transformed her life. Through the blessings she has received from the Lord, she no longer suffers from sleepless nights and bad health; she no longer feels the need to return to her previous work life ever again. With so much hope and joy in her new life as a Christian, she also wants to reach out to her sisters in that building to spread the love of Jesus and to shine the light on them. I admire Sweetie’s resolution and passion. I know that her firebrand and engaging personality will make her one of the best ambassadors of Christ.

Her goal is to raise HKD143,000 to start up a small business. After leaving the S&D Aftercare Program this year, the funding will set her onto a new path of life that she wants to follow. The total funding takes into account 3 months worth of i) personal living expenses including rent, food allowance for herself and two children; ii) the purchase( or monthly hire of tools, machine and equipment), and iii) monthly rental, rental deposit, utility and misc expenses for her new business.

She appeals to anyone who reads this to feel free to donate (however small) to help her to reach her goals. Her goal is to be self-sufficient and to provide education and food allowance for herself and two children. She is also passionate and determined to spread the message of Jesus our Saviour and to show her complete transformation to all her friends. Thank you for taking the time to listen to her story!