What warms the Earth the most?

When Tuoi Tre newspaper implemented the "Supporting Students to School 2024" scholarship program for underprivileged new university students across all 63 provinces and cities, we had the opportunity to deeply understand the kindness of people.

Two new students from Can Tho University, Nguyen Thi Cam Tien (left) and Phan Nguyen Phuong Anh, write thank-you letters to Tuoi Tre newspaper and the sponsors of the "Supporting Students to School" program – Photo: LAN NGOC

Human kindness has the power to multiply; sow seeds in one place and they will sprout elsewhere.

The "miracle-like" stories of the 2024 School Support Program.

I still remember the tears of Huệ An, a new student who went scavenging for scrap metal with her mother, who had terminal cancer, standing at the threshold of the University of Architecture, Da Nang University, but had no money.

Mr. Duong Thai Son, director of Nam Long Packaging Company, heard the story. For 11 consecutive years, as a sponsor in partnership with Tuoi Tre newspaper, Mr. Son has helped 50 students, providing each with 12 million VND per year until graduation. But for Hue An, he "broke the rule" and increased the amount to 20 million VND to "rescue" her tuition fees immediately. "It's like a miracle," said Hue An.

But the miracle didn't stop there. Huệ An's story also prompted businesswoman Lê Thị Quỳnh Nga to decide to pay Huệ An's entire 5-year tuition fee, worth 150 million VND. She made the decision in an instant. She not only performed this "miracle" on Huệ An's life, but also sponsored the entire university education of four other new students.

"It's simply because I felt so sorry for them," said Ms. Nga.

Hue An asked, "Did I hear that correctly, ma'am?" – the poor girl's question made the woman cry.

Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga awarded full scholarships to students Le Tien Dat and Phan Thi Hue An – Photo: THANH NGUYEN

In addition to contributing billions of VND to the general scholarship program of Tuoi Tre newspaper , Binh Dien - Quang Tri Joint Stock Company has made a "surprise" decision to support Nguyen Thi Tinh Thuong, a new student, for all four years of her studies. This student is the daughter of a mother with crippled limbs who works tirelessly to earn extra money and always loves her mother dearly.

Mr. Trong Dung, director of Hoang Gia Phat Company, "saw himself in the children's predicament" and sponsored 80 million VND for 4 years of study for Ngo Thi An, a new university student who was accepted into 3 top universities but whose family only owned one cow.

Out of deep compassion, he then covered all three years of tuition fees for Nguyen Thi Hai, a new student who had lost her parents and lived alone in an empty house.

Dr. Tang Ha Nam Anh and her friends, "wanted to cry when reading about the 'Supporting Students to School ' initiative while waiting for their flight," and decided to use the 50 million VND they had previously used to help patients to help poor new university students as well.

The YouTuber donated a motorbike and 15 million VND to a female student from Ben Tre who grew up in a house with many deaf and mute people…

Many stories of such "unplanned" acts of kindness have unfolded both on and off the newspapers, whether it's hundreds of millions or just a few hundred thousand dong donated by readers through Tuoi Tre newspaper's account after each article is published.

Kindness, therefore, takes many forms. It can be spontaneous, quiet, quick, slow, persistent, or timely. It lies within people's hearts, waiting for an inspiring story, and it spreads faster than hesitation.

Selfless acts of kindness help new students on their path to establishing themselves and their careers.

And even though the 12 official scholarship awarding ceremonies of Tuoi Tre newspaper in 2024, which awarded scholarships to 1,334 new students nationwide, have temporarily concluded, the generosity of the people remains undiminished.

The Tuoi Tre newspaper received the following heartfelt message from a reader: “I know the program has concluded, but that doesn't mean it should stop. Please act as a bridge to help me secure support of up to 50 million VND for one year's tuition or living expenses for a student so they can focus on their studies.”

Don't reveal my name. Just let the students know that someone helped, without disclosing their identity. I will transfer the money directly to the newspaper for processing.

I'm doing this so that my grandchild can see that in difficult circumstances, when a stranger silently stands behind them, helping them on their path to establishing themselves and their careers, they need to strive hard and not indulge in frivolous pursuits or neglect their studies."

Not long after, this same reader "raised the bar," wanting to provide additional support for another new medical student.

Mr. Thanh Truc, a businessman, donated 30 million VND through Tuoi Tre newspaper with the message, "Please support any student the newspaper deems in need." Engineer LPS donated 10 million VND, asking Tuoi Tre to help 5 new students the newspaper deems suitable.

Reader Lam Vy asked the newspaper to forward cash, a laptop, and a new dictionary to the "female student who risked going to school despite having only 5 million VND," and to give a bicycle to another new student.

A reader, a lawyer, donated 3 million VND to a student who requested anonymity; another reader, a teacher in Nha Trang, along with her friends, wanted to sponsor two underprivileged students selected by Tuoi Tre newspaper …

They all advised against revealing the specific names of the sponsors. They told the children not to worry, just to stay focused on their goals.

Compassion spreads warmth and light amidst the hardships of life.

What can we learn from the nobility of selfless acts of kindness? And what do kind-hearted people gain by "committing" to doing good deeds for strangers, who may never have the chance to repay them in their lifetime?

I recall an old story I saw in a video about a woman in America who underwent 96 jaw surgeries after an accident. During Christmas, an anonymous "Santa Claus" delivered $20,000 to her with the message: "The money may not lessen your pain, but it lets you know someone cares about you."

This man is spending an extra $500 to anonymously donate to deserving people in his city this Christmas.

His identity may forever remain lost, but the city he loved has been filled with so much warmth because of the hope he brought.

When do people who are cold feel warm? It's when blood flow increases, warmth is transferred, and movement is initiated. Comforting each other in difficult circumstances is the transfer of warmth between different lives. One person feels warmer, many feel happier. Doesn't the giver also feel "warmer" knowing that they are radiating positive energy, not wasting it? Living a life of kindness and usefulness, they continue to do good without expecting anything in return.

The story of human kindness, in my opinion, is one of the stories that warms the earth the most.

Two new students from Can Tho University, Nguyen Thi Cam Tien (left) and Phan Nguyen Phuong Anh, write thank-you letters to Tuoi Tre newspaper and the sponsors of the "Supporting Students to School" program – Photo: LAN NGOC

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dieu-gi-suoi-am-trai-dat-nay-nhieu-nhat-2024121013091111.htm