She raised her grandchild who lost his parents at birth: I'm so happy he passed the university entrance exam!

Outside of school hours, Nu helps her grandmother sell spices at a stall in Nam Phuoc market - Photo: LE TRUNG

These days, many traders at Nam Phuoc market, Duy Xuyen district, have shared their joy with Mrs. Vo Thi Ngoc Hanh (70 years old) at her spice stall in the market. With that stall, for many years she has earned money to support her poor orphaned grandchild.

"I'm so happy she got into university. I've raised her all this time, and seeing her go to university feels like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. The other half... I'll have to keep trying," Mrs. Hanh confided.

The tragic fate of the child

Nu's memories of her parents are like blank pages.

This new student at the Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology, Da Nang University, had an unfortunate childhood, never having fully enjoyed the happy days in the loving embrace of her parents.

When Sinh Nu was four days old, her father died in a traffic accident while returning from work. Her mother was in pain and shock with the loss of her husband and her young child.

Then a year and a half later, Nu's mother became ill and passed away. Her only support left was her grandmother.

"Poor girl, her parents passed away when she was so young, she doesn't know anything," Mrs. Hanh said, wiping away tears.

Le Tran Ngoc Nu, a new university student who lost both parents - Photo: LE TRUNG

The burden of many hardships and worries weighed heavily on the grandmother's shoulders, not only taking care of her children's education but also of a young grandchild. For many years, she has been busy at her small spice stall at Nam Phuoc market, earning money every day to support her family and raise her grandchild.

The familiar market vendors felt sorry for the image of the little granddaughter following her grandmother around to make a living.

Ms. Tran Thi Bich Lai, Nu's maternal aunt, said that for many years she saw her mother working hard to care for her niece, playing the roles of both mother, father, and grandmother to Nu.

She now has a family and two children. Although her financial situation is not very good, she still helps her mother to take care of Ngoc Nu's education.

Study better every year to make grandma happy

Ngoc Nu confided that she lost her parents at a young age, and all her memories now seem like illusions. She poured all her love into her grandmother, who had worked hard for her for so many years. Aware of the importance of education and the possibility of advancement, she strived to live up to her grandmother's expectations.

For 12 consecutive years, she was a good or excellent student. Nữ shared how hard she tried during her high school years. From an average grade of only 7.6 in 10th grade, she achieved 8.3 in 11th grade and 8.1 in 12th grade, making her a top student in her class. "My grades may not be as high as some of my classmates, but it's the result of my great effort. I'm proud of that," Nữ said.

Not only did she study hard, she also knew how to help her grandmother with heavy work. Many vendors in the market were familiar with the image of the little student helping her grandmother sell things at the spice stall every day, and everyone who saw the two of them felt sorry for her. During the summer break, Ngoc Nu also applied to work at a bookstore to sell books, earning money to help her grandmother pay for her education.

And with sympathy for the unfortunate, Nu is also active in volunteering. Nu said that before, near her school, there was a hospital, the aunts and uncles did charity work every day or gave out free meals to the patients. After school, Nu helped the aunts and uncles deliver meals to the aunts and uncles in the hospital.

Through her tireless efforts, she was admitted to the Business Administration program at the Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology, Da Nang University.

The woman shared that her university program is 4 years long, but if she accelerates her studies, she might only need 3.5 years. During her studies, she will try to improve her English and other necessary skills, striving to become a better person.

"I hope to study hard, get a job in my field, and earn enough to support myself and take care of my grandmother, who has taken care of me for over a decade," said Ngoc Nu.

Hope to receive 'precious scholarship'

A young woman helps her grandmother sell spices at a stall in Nam Phuoc market - Photo: LE TRUNG

Raising her grandchild to this point is beyond her imagination for Mrs. Hanh. Her grandchild passed the university entrance exam, the joy is evident before her eyes but there are still many worries. With the small amount of money she earns each day from selling at the market, she said it is very difficult to take care of Nu during her four years of university.

"My granddaughter recently enrolled in school in Da Nang. Although it's difficult, I'm trying my best to earn money to pay her tuition fees and cover her initial living expenses. Never mind, we've gotten through this for over a decade, now we just have to persevere for a few more years. As long as she studies hard, graduates, finds a job, and has a bright future," Mrs. Hanh confided.

Hearing about the Tuoi Tre newspaper's "Tiep suc den truong" scholarship program, Ngoc Nu registered, and she was on the list of new students with difficult circumstances receiving scholarships.

"My grandmother is getting old and frail now. This scholarship will help me cover my tuition and initial living expenses, which is invaluable to me," the woman said.

She said if she received the scholarship, she would save every penny she earned and study hard. And when she went to Da Nang, she would try to find some part-time job to make ends meet.

When she graduates and has a stable salary, she will use part of her ability to help new students who are in difficulty and need money to continue their studies.

We invite you to join us in School Support.

Tuoi Tre newspaper's 2024 School Support Program launched on August 8, expected to award 1,100 scholarships with a total cost of more than 20 billion VND (15 million VND for new students with difficulties, 20 special scholarships worth 50 million VND/scholarship for 4 years of study and learning equipment, gifts...).

With the motto "No young person can go to university due to poverty", "If new students encounter difficulties, Tuoi Tre is there" - as a commitment to support new students in the past 20 years of Tuoi Tre .

Please scan this QR code to register and introduce new students in need of support to school. The program will accept information until September 20, 2024.

New students can register online to apply for the 2024 School Transfer scholarship at: http://surl.li/fkfhms or scan the QR code.

The program received contributions and support from the "Farmers' Companion" Fund - Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, the Vinacam Scholarship Fund - Vinacam Group Joint Stock Company, and the "Quang Tri Solidarity" and "Phu Yen Solidarity" clubs; the "Supporting Students to School" clubs in Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam - Da Nang, Tien Giang - Ben Tre, Quang Ngai, and the Tien Giang - Ben Tre Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City, the German-Vietnamese Mutual Assistance and Cooperation Association (VSW), Nam Long Company, Nestlé Vietnam Co., Ltd., and other businesses, philanthropists, and numerous readers of Tuoi Tre newspaper.

Businesses and readers who wish to support scholarships for new students are kindly requested to transfer their donations to the Tuoi Tre newspaper's account:

113000006100 VietinBank (Vietnam Industrial and Commercial Bank), Branch 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

Content: Support "Support to school" for new students or specify the province/city that you want to support.

Readers and businesses abroad can transfer funds to Tuoi Tre newspaper:

USD account 007.137.0195.845, Foreign Trade Bank of Ho Chi Minh City;

EUR account 007.114.0373.054 Foreign Trade Bank, Ho Chi Minh City

with Swift code BFTVVNVX007.

Content: Support "Support to school" for new students or specify the province/city that you want to support.

In addition to funding scholarships, readers can support learning equipment, accommodation, jobs... for new students.

Graphics: TUAN ANH

Video tutorial on how to register for new students in need of help, as well as how to contribute to the program.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ba-nuoi-chau-mat-cha-me-tu-moi-lot-long-no-dau-dai-hoc-sao-tui-mung-qua-20240918073232018.htm