Outside of school hours, Nu helps her grandmother sell spices at a stall in Nam Phuoc market - Photo: LE TRUNG
These past few days, many small traders at Nam Phuoc market in Duy Xuyen district have been sharing their joy with Mrs. Vo Thi Ngoc Hanh (70 years old) next to her spice stall. For many years, she has earned money from that stall to support her unfortunate 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
Nữ's memories of her parents are like a blank page.
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.
Four days after she was born, her father died in a traffic accident on his way home from work. Her mother was devastated and heartbroken by the loss of her husband and her young child.
Then, a year and a half later, Nữ's mother became chronically ill and passed away. The only support left for the little girl 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 worry and hardship weighs heavily on the grandmother's shoulders; she has to provide for her children's education while also caring for a young grandchild. For many years, she has been busy at her small spice stall in Nam Phuoc market, earning money each day to support her family and raise her grandchild.
The vendors at the market were familiar with the sight, and felt pity for the little granddaughter trudging along beside her grandmother as they struggled 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, and although she's not very well-off, she helps her mother provide for Ngoc Nu's education.
I study harder each year to make my grandmother 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 was she diligent in her studies, but she also helped her grandmother with heavy work. Many vendors at the market were familiar with the sight of the little schoolgirl helping her grandmother sell spices at the stall every day; everyone who saw the two of them felt sorry for them. During the summer break, Ngoc Nu even applied to work at a bookstore selling books to earn money to help her grandmother cover her living and studying expenses.
And empathetic to the plight of the less fortunate, Nu is also actively involved in volunteer work. Nu recounts that there used to be a hospital near her school where the volunteers would distribute free meals to patients every day. Outside of school hours, Nu would help them distribute meals to the hospital staff.
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.
I hope to receive this valuable scholarship.
A young woman helps her grandmother sell spices at a stall in Nam Phuoc market - Photo: LE TRUNG
Raising her granddaughter to this point has been beyond Mrs. Hanh's wildest dreams. Her granddaughter's university acceptance is a source of immense joy, but it also brings many worries. With the meager earnings she makes each day selling goods at the market, she says it will be very difficult to support Nữ throughout 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 "Supporting Students to School" scholarship program of Tuoi Tre newspaper, Ngoc Nu applied and was included in the list of disadvantaged new university students who received the scholarship.
"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 that if she received the scholarship, she would save every penny and study hard. And when she goes to Da Nang, she will try to find a part-time job to cover her expenses.
Once she graduates and starts working with a stable salary, she will set aside a portion of her income to help underprivileged new students who need funds 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
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