Two orphaned sisters and their efforts not to leave their dreams unfinished

We visited two orphaned sisters Nguyen Thi Hoa (former 12th grade student of Biology, Luong Van Tuy High School for the Gifted) and Nguyen Thanh Ha, 11th grade student of Tran Hung Dao High School, in Dam Khe Trong village, Nam Hoa Lu ward when their family and the two sisters had just completed the 49th day ceremony for their biological mother. On their faces, the two sisters could not hide their sadness and worry about the road ahead.

Homeroom teacher Nguyen Thi Thu and the Parents' Association visited and encouraged Nguyen Thi Hoa's family.

In the small house, there were not enough essential items, only two study desks and certificates of merit, certificates of academic achievement were the most precious. The older sister Nguyen Thi Hoa, a former 12th grade student majoring in Biology at Luong Van Tuy High School for the Gifted, recounted in tears: Ever since I was little, my father was constantly sick due to an incurable disease, and after several years of treatment, he passed away at a young age. Before the tears had dried in the pain of losing my father, my mother - the only spiritual support of the two sisters - also contracted a rare disease, the doctor diagnosed it as motor neuron cancer. From the main laborer in the house who raised the two Hoa sisters to study by working as a ferryman, my mother gradually lost her ability to work, fought the disease for a year and then passed away. In just 4 years, the Hoa sisters became orphans of both parents.

In the scorching summer sun, the last days before the most important exam of 12 years of studying, were also the last days of Hoa's mother's life. Being busy taking care of her mother, staying up late to study seemed to have drained Hoa's mind and strength.

She shared: Born into poverty, growing up when her family faced many changes, she clearly understood her current situation, she also knew how great her responsibility was when behind her was her younger sister who was about to enter high school. But she herself was just a little girl, not yet mature enough but also no longer at the age of being carefree, there were times when she did not know how to bear the burden. No matter how optimistic she was, how positive her thinking was, but the moment when all her loved ones, the most important people in her life left her, she felt very sad, empty...

However, Hoa never intended to stop studying hard, she still continued with hundreds of fears with the thought that if she tried, she would not be afraid of anything anymore. She considered studying as a small joy to temporarily forget the difficult reality, helping her get closer to a bright future. Her mother also advised that studying is the shortest way to help her change her fate. Her efforts were also rewarded when her academic results in 3 years of study, Hoa was an excellent student, winning many awards for excellent students at school and provincial levels. In particular, in grade 12, even though her mother was seriously ill, she still tried her best, winning the Second Prize in Biology at the provincial level, and the Encouragement Prize in Biology at the national level.

After their parents passed away, the two sisters Nguyen Thi Hoa and Nguyen Thanh Ha could only rely on each other.

In the 2025 high school graduation exam, with the advice of teachers, Hoa determined to pursue a teaching career and achieved 29.17 points, passing the first choice to enter the Faculty of Biology Pedagogy, Hanoi National University of Education.

“My dream was to study at Hanoi Medical University, but due to difficult circumstances and the encouragement and wishes of my parents when they were still alive; at the same time, the direction that teachers thought was most suitable for me was to choose to take the entrance exam to the Pedagogical University. And I was admitted to the Faculty of Biology, Hanoi Pedagogical University. I will try to study and have a stable job to support myself and my sister,” Hoa shared.

Teacher Nguyen Thi Thu, homeroom teacher of the 12th Biology class at Luong Van Tuy High School for the Gifted, said: Hoa is a hard-working, well-behaved, and emotional student. That is what makes her a shining example for her classmates. The school and the 12th Biology class always pay special attention to Hoa by creating the best conditions for her studies, supporting part of her tuition fees, and calling for help from benefactors. "Passing the university entrance exam, opening the door to the future is also a difficult journey that Hoa needs to prove her mettle to overcome. We always hope that she will maintain her spirit of overcoming difficulties and continue to shine in the upcoming journey," Ms. Thu said.

As for her younger sister Nguyen Thanh Ha, an 11th grade student at Tran Hung Dao High School, following her sister's example, Ha has always been the top student in her class. Ha shared: "The year I took the 10th grade entrance exam, I learned that my mother had cancer, so I had to study for the exam and be the main breadwinner to take care of my mother, while my sister Hoa focused on the excellent student exams. That's why I had to put aside my dream of taking the entrance exam to Luong Van Tuy High School for the Gifted to choose to study near home so that I could have time to take care of my sick mother instead of my sister."

In the excited atmosphere of entering the new school year, Hoa also prepared her luggage and mindset to become a new student of the Faculty of Biology, Hanoi National University of Education, but Hoa's biggest worry was her younger sister with a difficult path ahead but she was the only one shouldering the responsibility of taking care of the house and burning incense for her parents.

Knowing her sister's thoughts and feelings, her younger sister Nguyen Thanh Ha always encouraged her: Being alone, I only feel sad, not scared. Because I think, maybe my parents are always watching over me. I just hope that Hoa will study well, adapt quickly to the new environment, and visit home often.

And then, the luggage the two sisters brought to the lecture hall was not only books but also dreams of changing their lives, packed from the days without the warmth of family. But what moved us the most was that amidst the lack of love due to the eternal departure of their parents, the two sisters Hoa and Ha always loved each other, wanted to sacrifice for each other and together showed determination to rise up in the face of adversity, lighting the fire of faith and hope for a brighter future.

All donations from benefactors please send to:
Nguyen Thi Hoa, Hamlet 7, Dam Khe Trong Village, Nam Hoa Lu Ward, Ninh Binh Province.
Account number: 4880759334, BIDV Bank.

Article and photos: Lan Anh

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/hai-chi-em-mo-coi-va-no-luc-khong-de-dang-do-uoc-mo-250917103428357.html