Tears on the special day of students orphaned by Covid-19

One afternoon in June, 10 12th graders at Hope School, located in Ngu Hanh Son District (Da Nang) held their coming-of-age ceremony after completing their high school education. This is the common home of nearly 300 children orphaned during the Covid-19 pandemic, who come from many different provinces and cities.

Before receiving their diplomas and scarves, the students reviewed their memories of their three years at school. In addition to missing their loved ones and writing letters to their parents in the afterlife, the students also shared for the first time the joys and sorrows they had experienced.

Having studied at Hy Vong School for 2 years now, Huynh Tan Quoc shared that he did not want to go there because he "never went far away from his family", but then Quoc thought that if he continued to live a "safe" life like that, he would never be able to go further, so Quoc decided to go to Da Nang.

The first two days, Quoc could not bear it and kept calling his mother and crying, "Mom, I want to go home." At that time, it was the encouragement and care of the teachers at school that helped the student overcome the days of uncertainty and gradually find joy at the common home of Hope.

"I am grateful to the teachers and everyone here. Even though we are not blood relatives, what the teachers have done for me is huge. There were times when I cried or had a fever, and the teachers were the ones who took care of me. Previously, only my mother did those things," Quoc said, unable to hold back his tears.

Orphaned by her father during the Covid-19 pandemic, Le Thi Thu Thao had a series of sad days, her family life was difficult when the economy depended on her mother, to the point that she once intended to sell the house. But then Thao's life became brighter when she was admitted to Hy Vong School, where Thao had friends, teachers to help her and gave her a life full of hope.

Talking about her mother, Huynh Thi Nha Tran shared that it was hard to accept the fact that her mother had passed away. Every night, Tran cried, and when her father came in, she pretended to sleep. Tran also never thought she would be where she is today if it weren't for Hy Vong School.

"Right now I can tell everyone that I have truly changed, I am no longer the naughty little girl who made my mother and I sad. Mom, I love you so much," Tran burst into tears.

What made everyone shed tears was seeing Doan Hoang Bao Tram (18 years old) attending her coming of age ceremony in a wheelchair, fighting a serious illness. Tran received a lot of encouragement from friends and teachers to help her overcome the terrible disease and continue to fulfill her unfinished dream.

Hearing the heartfelt sharing of students, many teachers could not hide their emotions and burst into tears.

From being lost due to losing loved ones, families being broken up by the pandemic, it seemed like storms had surrounded their lives since then. No one thought there would be a place to welcome, nurture, and accompany them until today. Hands holding tightly, accompanying them through a long journey until they grow up.

Ms. Truong Thanh Thanh, President of the Hope Foundation - Founding Council of the Hope School, gave the students Western scarves and then hugged and encouraged the "children".

To pay tribute to the founder of Hope School, 10 12th graders drew a picture of "Growing up with hope" as a gift to the school. These are the moments they have experienced together and the words they send to their future selves.

"What makes me happiest is living in an environment of love. Teachers and friends have helped me to no longer be introverted but to become happier and more mature," Mai Thi Thuy Anh shared.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/an-sinh/giot-nuoc-mat-trong-ngay-dac-biet-cua-hoc-sinh-mo-coi-vi-covid-19-20240617162653370.htm