A philanthropist supports the entire university life of 5 new students with more than 800 million VND in tuition fees

Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga confided that she hopes the new students whose tuition she sponsors will study well - Photo: YEN TRINH

When hearing Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga (from Thua Thien Hue) say that, freshman Phan Thi Hue An (Da Nang University of Architecture) - a scrap collector whose mother has terminal cancer burst into tears. Not only Hue An, Ms. Nga has sponsored the entire tuition fees for 5 other freshmen.

Did I hear wrong, teacher?!

Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga met and encouraged Le Tien Dat and Phan Thi Hue An - two of the five new students whose tuition fees she will sponsor for their entire student life - Photo: THANH NGUYEN

Recalling the decision to support tuition fees, Ms. Nga is still emotional: "Fate brought the new students to me."

As a member of the Quang Nam - Da Nang School Relay Club, in September, she traveled from her home in Ho Chi Minh City to Quang Nam to attend the scholarship award ceremony and the club's 20th anniversary. Knowing the circumstances of the new students, she choked up with emotion and remembered her difficult student days.

In the afternoon, walking by the beach, thinking about the will to overcome adversity and the tears of the students, she decided to support 5 special scholarships.

"At that time, I didn't really know how much the students paid each school year. But I thought I could help," she shared.

On the morning of September 27, before the scholarship award ceremony, Mr. Pham Phu Tam, the club's president, asked again: "Ms. Nga, please confirm for me the details of the 5 scholarships?". "I replied that I will support the students until they graduate, so that they will not have to stop their studies because of difficulties like me," she said.

The tuition fees for 5 students who finished university together were about 800 million VND, because some students studied medicine for 6 years, some studied graphic design for 5 years... It was not a small amount, but she said she could take care of them.

Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga is a member of the Quang Nam - Da Nang School Support Club - Photo: YEN TRINH

When meeting new students, she felt love. Recently, when she had the opportunity to return to her hometown, she took the opportunity to call and ask about their circumstances.

"I don't let my staff contact me because I want to understand and share more with the children. Maybe working directly with them will cause more problems because I'm a bit hurtful," she joked.

She said: "Hue An's situation is so pitiful. Her father passed away when she was young, and her mother has terminal cancer." When asked where her mother got the money to go to the doctor, An softly replied that she borrowed it from the neighbors. Hearing that, she transferred 10 million VND to An to pay for her mother's medicine.

When she learned that she would receive tuition support until graduation, An burst into tears and repeated: "Are you serious? Say it again. Did I hear wrong?". Ms. Nga also cried.

As for student Pham Vo Duc, his father left when he was young, and his mother has low blood pressure so she only does odd jobs...

She made an appointment to meet Le Tien Dat (Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy). She kindly said: "Doctors need English proficiency. How good is your English now? I will give you tuition, ask your teacher what English is needed for the medical profession. You will become a good doctor, improve your life, and have the opportunity to study abroad."

Dat said he was very surprised when he heard Ms. Nga say she would support him for 6 years. She also supported him mentally and gave him many instructions.

"I will focus on studying, think about the future, and not let you down," Dat said emotionally.

Ms. Nga's story: A difficult path to study but with strong will

Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga during her university days - Photo: NVCC

Born in Hue, in 1977, Nga's family moved to the new economic zone in Song Be (now Binh Duong). In a family of 5 siblings, during difficult times, Nga had to stop studying in the third year of the Foreign Language Department at Ho Chi Minh City Open University.

Holding her student certificate and English C certificate in hand, she went to apply for a job. Many places shook their heads when they saw that she had not graduated from university. A Korean company accepted her as a special case.

With the determination to work hard, from a salary of 100 USD/month as an errand girl, half a year later she became the CEO of this company.

Then she got married and had two beautiful daughters. In 2001, she and her husband, a teacher and chemical engineer, founded Tan Chau Chemical Company and has developed it sustainably until today.

In 2007, she suffered from degenerative lumbar vertebrae, had to have surgery, and was unable to walk for a year and a half. In 2009, her health recovered thanks to exercise, and she attended courses on financial management, human resources, etc. at PACE Business School.

"After work, I go straight to school. I finish my studies. I couldn't go to school when I was a student, so now I make up for it with classes," she laughed.

She has the desire to serve more society, to give more. She supports difficult circumstances, and gives scholarships to students at her old school.

In 2011, she was awarded a certificate of merit by the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee for her active contribution to the city's emulation movement in 2010. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she sponsored ventilators, mobile X-ray machines and other equipment for 6 hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City with a value of more than 8 billion VND.

Within her ability, she shared that she could support 5 students. She confided: "At the scholarship award ceremony, I thought it would be better to go down and visit some more students. But I was afraid that the other students would feel sorry for themselves, because all of them were having difficulties. That day, I felt guilty because I could not support the other students."

She advised the students to study well and try their best to work and become useful people for society. She hoped that they would live with goals and dreams and make their dreams come true.

"From the bottom of my heart, I also want that in addition to tuition support, if you have any difficulties, please tell me. If it is within my ability, I will help," she confided.

She plans to create a Zalo group of 5 friends to encourage, create connections and consider them as 5 godchildren. Her voice is warm: "Please consider each other as brothers and sisters and consider me as a relative."

Awarding 100 scholarships to support schools in Quang Nam - Da Nang area

"Just go to school with peace of mind"

The 5 students that Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga received tuition support for are Le Tien Dat (Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy), Phan Thi Hue An (Da Nang University of Architecture), Pham Vo Duc (Ho Chi Minh City University of Science), Vo Thi Thuy Tram (Da Nang University of Education), Phan Thi Bich Duyen (Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport).

Ms. Vo Thi Le, vice president of the Quang Nam - Da Nang School Relay Club, said that when Ms. Nga said she would support tuition for 5 students, everyone in the club was happy.

"I was happy to hear that someone was taking care of a few more children, but Nga was taking care of five children. I felt happy for them. They have someone taking care of their studies like that, so they can rest assured to go to school. They should try their best to study well, and not let down Nga, the person who has helped them," she advised.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/manh-thuong-quan-tiep-suc-tron-thoi-dai-hoc-cho-5-tan-sv-voi-hon-800-trieu-dong-hoc-phi-20241019164503509.htm