Working hard, high school valedictorian paid in installments to get a 'precious computer' to enter Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education

Having lost his parents and being raised by his aunt, Nguyen Tan Phat (a freshman in the Electrical and Electronics Engineering department at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education) had to work as a construction laborer, pick coffee, and work for a durian farm since junior high school to make a living.

Nguyen Tan Phat works as a construction laborer to pursue his dream of attending university - Produced by: NGOC SANG - YEN TRINH - NHA CHAN - MAI HUYEN - TRINH TRA

The family fell apart, and my mother took me away.

From the age of eight, Phát's father was often drunk. Arguments between his parents were frequent. Phát's mother took his younger brother and left.

In the small house in Hamlet 7, Thong Nhat Commune, Bu Dang District, Binh Phuoc Province, only the grandfather, now over 80 years old, and the father remain.

The backpack that Nguyen Tan Phat received as a reward during high school, he brought with him to university - Photo: YEN TRINH

The family of new university student Nguyen Tan Phat is in difficult circumstances. They only own about two acres of land, a meager source of income insufficient to cover living expenses. One time, while drunk, Phat's father cut down the trees to sell as firewood, leaving the land fallow and uncultivated for many years.

Phát was taken in and raised by his maternal aunt.

Those years were probably the saddest time in Phat's life. Living with his aunt, Phat would help with housework after school during the day, study at night, and then spread a mat on the floor to sleep.

Although she loves her nephew dearly, his aunt is also facing numerous difficulties, having to care for her own small family, plus Phát, his elderly grandfather, and her alcoholic younger brother.

Finding life too difficult, Phat often wanted to drop out of school and go to work. But then Phat encouraged himself to keep trying: "During that time, I fell into a crisis, but then I tried to pull myself together, because I knew that only through education could I escape poverty in the future."

Nguyen Tan Phat, a new university student, brought a stack of certificates from his high school days from his hometown in Binh Phuoc to his rented room and carefully stored them away - Photo: YEN TRINH

The top student in high school, with part-time jobs, has everything one could need.

When Phát entered high school, because the school was far away, he rented a room near the school for convenience. During that time, Phát reconnected with his mother, who provided him with additional money for his studies.

Phát always studied diligently and avoided partying. As a result, he consistently ranked at the top of his class in terms of grades.

Phat was also the top student in the A00 group at Le Quy Don High School in the recent graduation exam.

Having been accustomed to an independent life since childhood, when Phát moved into rented accommodation, he often worked as a construction laborer on small projects that his landlord introduced him to on weekends. The sun was scorching hot, but Phát never complained.

New student Nguyen Tan Phat is determined to study hard because he knows that the path of education will open up a better future - Photo: YEN TRINH

Seeing that Phat was kind and gentle, the landlady hired him to pick coffee beans on a piece-rate basis during the coffee harvest season. During long summer breaks, she introduced Phat to work at a durian plantation.

Because the job was piece-rate, Phat worked all day and night, doing overtime to earn a little extra money so that he would have money to pay for rent, buy books and school supplies, and pay tuition fees in the new year.

Occasionally, his mother would buy fruit and cook meals for him. Despite being busy and living far away, she always made time to attend parent-teacher meetings so that Phát wouldn't feel left out. Seeing her son doing well in school, she would often encourage him to keep trying every day.

When asked about his father, the freshman's face clouded over. After a while, Phat confided that he and his father rarely spoke because constant drunkenness acted as a barrier between them.

Understanding the situation, Phat expressed his love for his father in his story, and his wish that his father would be normal and not drink excessively, harming his health.

New students wait for price drops to buy meat and vegetables.

Having been independent since childhood, Nguyen Tan Phat often cooks his own meals to save money - Photo: YEN TRINH

Phát had moved all his belongings to his rented room; there was nothing left at home. The tiny rented room, on the upper floor, was so small that you'd hit your head if you stood straight, but it was neat and tidy, located deep in an alley in Thu Duc City (Ho Chi Minh City).

To save money, the new student shared an apartment with three other students. The rent was divided among four people, costing approximately 400,000 VND per month.

My beloved computer - the fruit of my labor.

Phát's small corner contained nothing of value except for the laptop he bought on installments with money he earned from part-time jobs.

Whenever Phát takes out his study materials or creates presentations, he cherishes them with pride because they were earned with the money he had saved through hard work and sweat in his early life.

New student Nguyen Tan Phat with his laptop, purchased on installments with money earned from part-time work at a durian farm during high school - Photo: YEN TRINH

Before starting university, Phat went to Ho Chi Minh City early and worked full-time as a waiter at a restaurant. He received free room and board and earned 6 million VND per month. Phat saved up the money to pay for his tuition for this semester.

Phát revealed that his secret to saving money in daily life is to usually go to the grocery store in the evening, waiting for discount hours to buy meat and vegetables to cook.

"Each time we go shopping, it costs about 100,000 dong, but all four of us eat until we're full, sometimes even enough for two meals. On days when we have classes all day, I eat at the school canteen, where each meal costs about 25,000 dong." On days when we're really short on cash, Phat just eats instant noodles to get by.

Nguyen Tan Phat is on the attic of the rented room he shares with three other friends. The new university student has a habit of keeping his belongings neatly organized - Photo: YEN TRINH

When asked about his dreams, Phat shared that he wants to become a skilled software engineer and work for multinational companies.

Phát happily showed us his acceptance letter with a high score and a stack of certificates from his high school days.

In the coming days, Phat will consider his studies and look for a part-time job to cover his living expenses. No matter how difficult things get, Phat will remain strong and strive forward.

Phát plans that if he receives the "Supporting Students to School" scholarship from Tuổi Trẻ newspaper, he will ask his mother to keep it for him to pay for tuition for the next semester, and send some money to his grandfather for his medical expenses.

You're a very good student!

Ms. Le Thi Thuy (42 years old, head of Hamlet 7, Thong Nhat Commune, Bu Dang District, Binh Phuoc Province) said: "Phat is a very good student. Every year, the village's education promotion association gives him notebooks. Phat's family is in difficult circumstances, so the village also pays attention to and supports them by giving gifts during Tet and Mid-Autumn Festival..."

We recently signed a document confirming the family's financial difficulties so that the child could receive a tuition fee reduction."

In addition, the local authorities also facilitated the renovation of Phat's house. Upon hearing the news that Phat had been accepted into university with high scores, Mrs. Thuy was very happy, only hoping that Phat would study hard so that he would have an easier life in the future.

We invite you to join us in supporting students to attend school.

The Tuoi Tre newspaper's "Supporting Students to School 2024" program, launched on August 8th, is expected to award 1,100 scholarships with a total budget of over 20 billion VND (15 million VND for disadvantaged new students, 20 special scholarships worth 50 million VND each for the entire 4 years of study, plus learning equipment and gifts...).

With the motto "No young person should be prevented from attending university because of poverty," and "If new students face difficulties, Tuoi Tre is there for them" - this is a commitment to supporting new students throughout Tuoi Tre 's 20-year journey.

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" Clubs in Phu Yen; the "Supporting Students to School" Clubs in Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam - Da Nang, Tien Giang - Ben Tre; and the Tien Giang - Ben Tre Business Clubs in Ho Chi Minh City; Dai-ichi Life Vietnam; Mr. Duong Thai Son and his friends; and numerous businesses and readers of Tuoi Tre newspaper...

In addition, Vinacam Group Joint Stock Company also sponsored 50 laptops for particularly disadvantaged new students lacking learning equipment, worth approximately 600 million VND, and Nestlé Vietnam Co., Ltd. sponsored 1,500 backpacks worth approximately 250 million VND.

The Vietnam-America English Language Institute is sponsoring 50 free foreign language scholarships worth 625 million VND. Through the State Bank of Vietnam, Bac A Commercial Joint Stock Bank is sponsoring 1,500 books on financial education and financial management skills for new university students…

Businesses and readers who wish to support scholarships for new students can 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 the " Helping Students Go to School " program for new university students, or specify the province/city you wish 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 Vietcombank Ho Chi Minh City

with Swift code BFTVVNVX007.

Content: Support the " Helping Students Go to School " program for new university students, or specify the province/city you wish to support.

In addition to providing scholarships, readers can also support new students with learning equipment, accommodation, job opportunities, and more.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lam-them-quan-quat-thu-khoa-truong-cap-3-tra-gop-duoc-may-tinh-cung-nhap-hoc-dh-spkt-tp-hcm-20241028102356981.htm