'I'm afraid I'll drop out of school.'

QTO - Nguyen Van Viet, a 10th-grade student specializing in Mathematics at Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted, shared this with us when recounting his circumstances. His small family's life, already difficult, has become even more challenging as his father, the family's main breadwinner, is increasingly frail due to illness.

Viet is tall and thin, with a slightly melancholic expression on his face, but possesses bright, intelligent eyes. He was born and raised in Dong Luat village, a coastal area of ​​Vinh Hoang commune. Viet's family is in difficult circumstances, and he has two younger siblings who are still in school.

Many difficulties have piled up on Viet's unfortunate family - Photo: TN

My mother, Viet, is in poor health and has undergone several cesarean sections, leaving her completely incapable of heavy labor. She can only make a living by growing vegetables and raising a few chickens. For a long time, all household expenses have depended on the precarious income from my father's unstable jobs. Sadly, my father suffers from bronchitis. Besides his tools for strenuous manual labor, he always carries a bag of medicine.

His physical strength was declining, so he couldn't do the strenuous work that other men born in this coastal region could do. "Through a referral from an acquaintance, I got a job as a titanium mining worker at a site near my house, earning about 8 million dong a month. That's hardly enough to cover my children's education and family expenses. Every night, seeing my children stay up late trying to study, my wife and I can't help but feel heartbroken," shared Nguyen Van Bac, Viet's father, with a choked voice.

Previously, Viet's family lived in a dilapidated house in a poor fishing village. Understanding his parents' hardships, from a young age, he managed household chores while relentlessly striving to study for a brighter future. This perseverance culminated in a brilliant academic record, including a silver medal in the national online math competition... From this, the story of this poor but studious student spread widely and touched the hearts of many. Admiring his talent and resilience, charitable organizations and individuals visited his home to offer support and contribute to building a sturdy house for Viet's family.

Passing the entrance exam to Le Quy Don Specialized High School was a long-held dream of Viet. Therefore, when he learned he had been accepted into the 10th grade Math class at this school, he hugged his father and wept uncontrollably amidst the congratulations of his neighbors. He cried tears of happiness, but those tears also contained worries about the expenses of studying far from home. To save money, Viet registered to stay in the school's dormitory. There, he made the most of his time to study. In this new environment, he was considered by his teachers and friends as one of the "bright spots" in the specialized Math class. He utilized every moment to study and improve himself.

Viet confided: “I understand that only education is the fastest and most effective way for me and my family to have a better life. Therefore, I always strive tirelessly. I wish I could grow up faster to help my parents and support my younger siblings' education. However, life is becoming increasingly difficult as my father's health is declining due to illness. I'm very afraid I'll have to drop out of school midway…”

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Dau Anh Hung, homeroom teacher of the 10th grade Math class at Le Quy Don Specialized High School, said: “Viet is a diligent student with a proactive attitude and a strong aptitude for natural sciences, especially mathematics. Although somewhat shy due to his circumstances, he always strives to participate in all activities. The school has tried to connect him with scholarship sources, but these supports are still too small compared to the long road ahead. Viet truly needs the support of compassionate people to continue his journey of conquering knowledge.”

All support for the family of Nguyen Van Viet should be sent to:

Quang Tri Newspaper and Radio & Television, Tran Quang Khai Street, Dong Hoi Ward. Account number: 0311 0088 99988 - Vietcombank Quang Binh Branch. Or send directly to: Mr. Nguyen Van Viet, Vinh Hoang Commune, Quang Tri Province (phone: 0838.498.729).

Thuy Nhan - Truc Phuong

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202603/em-so-minh-that-hoc-ee958b6/