Scholarships to help dreams come true: Rising up in the midst of hardship

Below is the story of a male student from Ca Mau and a female student from Soc Trang who were introduced to the Winged Dreams Scholarship program.

After a year of taking a break from school and going to sea, I realized how important studying is. This time I returned, I was determined to study really well, because that was the only way to change my life.

HUYNH THANH KHANH

Left school but determined to return

Huynh Thanh Khanh - Photo: LAM NGUYEN

Huynh Thanh Khanh is currently studying in class 12C6 at Phu Tan High School. Khanh is the eldest child in a family of five children in Hamlet 3, Cai Doi Vam town, Phu Tan district ( Ca Mau ). The house where the seven family members are living was originally rented at a cheap price.

Khanh’s father went to sea to fish near the shore. His mother had many illnesses. On days when she was well, she sold sticky rice or did nails for free, and when she was tired, she just stayed around the house doing chores.

After 10th grade, both parents fell ill. The burden of making a living forced Khanh to put his studies on hold and go to sea. Small but agile, Khanh became the breadwinner of the family at the age of 16, with seven mouths to feed. The story of a poor student forced to stop studying was a pity to everyone who knew.

After a year of hiatus, Khanh was determined to return to school with the joy and encouragement of his family, teachers and friends. He still maintained good academic results in the 11th grade when he returned to school. Khanh's father's health was weaker so he no longer went out to sea like before, now he did whatever job he could find as long as it was within his capacity. His mother's condition improved somewhat after the surgery.

Nearing the end of his school years, Khanh dreamed of entering a university specializing in aquaculture.

"I want to go to school and bring that knowledge back to support people in the suburbs of my hometown to strongly develop industrial shrimp farming" - Khanh boasted.

But above all, Khanh understands that he must have a stable job to take care of his family and guide his four younger siblings.

After a year of struggling with the waves, you understand better than anyone the happiness of being able to go to school. Khanh is putting all his efforts into the high school graduation exam that is not far away. And he has never stopped believing that his life will receive rays of hope, filled with love no matter how difficult life is.

Every day is a challenge

Pham Diem My in her study corner - Photo: NGOC HUYNH

Perhaps it is not an exaggeration to say that every day is a challenge for little girl Pham Diem My (class 8A2, Thanh Phu Secondary School) in Thanh Phu commune, My Xuyen district (Soc Trang).

At an age when her peers only care about studying and having fun, Diem My and her small family have had to face many consecutive difficulties.

Diem My lost her father when she was young, living with her mother and two uncles. The family had no land or valuable assets. Daily expenses depended on the small amount of money her mother earned from her hired work. She did whatever she was hired to do, sometimes doing laundry, sometimes cleaning the house, but there was no stable job.

But the hemorrhoids that have been weighing heavily on my mother’s weak shoulders for many years now. Every time she has to go to Can Tho for check-ups and medicine, it is a big worry. So there are months when the family has no money left, and she has no choice but to silently endure the pain alone.

Although life has not been easy for Diem My, she has never given up hope or stopped trying. Summer is the time when My wanders the streets selling lottery tickets. She has extra income to help her mother, and can save a little to buy books and clothes for the new school year.

At school, student Diem My is mentioned by teachers and friends as a model student, gentle, diligent and studious.

For many years, she has been an excellent student, somewhat becoming the pride of her family and a consolation for her poor mother. That belief is still guiding her on her life journey, even though she knows there are still many obstacles ahead.

Waiting for candidate introduction article

The Dream Wings Scholarship is implemented by Tuoi Tre Newspaper and Van Hien University with a budget of 19 billion VND over three years. In the first year, the program will award 100 scholarships (4 million VND/scholarship) to middle and high school students from 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta. The following years will be for the Southeast, Central and Central Highlands regions.

Students must have good conduct, good academic performance, come from difficult circumstances, and have the will to overcome difficulties and excel in their studies. In particular, scholarship applicants must be introduced to the program by classmates, teachers at school, local people, and Tuoi Tre newspaper readers.

The article about the situation of the student applying for the scholarship must not exceed 800 words (word file). Images and video clips (if any) about the case being introduced, please send them as a separate file, do not paste them together in the article file.

Readers send articles to email: chapcanhuocmo@tuoitre.com.vn; Tel: 0283.997.38.38 (contact the Social Work Department of Tuoi Tre Newspaper). The program is accepting introductory articles, lasting until June 5. The scholarship awarding ceremony is expected to be held in Dong Thap in June.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoc-bong-chap-canh-uoc-mo-vuon-len-giua-co-cuc-20240510095811624.htm