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

Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga shared her hope that the new students whose tuition she is sponsoring will study hard - Photo: YEN TRINH

Upon hearing Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga (from Thua Thien Hue province) say that, Phan Thi Hue An, a new student at Da Nang University of Architecture – a young girl who collects scrap metal and whose mother has terminal cancer – burst into tears. Not only Hue An, but Ms. Nga also sponsored tuition fees for five other new students for their entire university years.

Did I hear that correctly, teacher?!

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

Recalling her decision to provide tuition support, Ms. Nga is still emotional: "Fate brought these new students to me."

As a member of the Quang Nam - Da Nang "Supporting Students to School" Club, in September, she traveled from her home in Ho Chi Minh City to Quang Nam to attend the scholarship awarding ceremony and the club's 20th anniversary celebration. Knowing the circumstances of the new university students, she was overcome with emotion and remembered her own difficult student days.

While strolling along the beach that afternoon, reflecting on the students' determination to overcome adversity and their tears, she decided to provide five special scholarships.

"At the time, I wasn't sure how much the students paid each year. But I thought I might be able to help," she shared.

On the morning of September 27th, before the scholarship awarding ceremony, Mr. Pham Phu Tam, the club's chairman, asked again: "Ms. Nga, please confirm for me the specifics of the 5 scholarships?" "I replied that we will support the students until they graduate, so that they won't have to drop out of school due to difficulties like I did," she recounted.

The total tuition fees for all five students to complete their university education amounted to over 800 million VND, considering some studied medicine for 6 years, others studied graphic design for 5 years... It's a considerable sum, but she said she could manage it for them.

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

When she met the new students, she felt affection for them. Recently, when she had the opportunity to go back to her hometown, she took the chance to call and check in, learning more about their circumstances.

"I didn't let my staff contact them because I wanted to understand and share more with the children myself. Dealing directly with them might even create more problems, because I tend to be a bit too compassionate," she said humorously.

She recounted, "Hue An's situation is so pitiful. Her father passed away when she was very young, and her mother has terminal cancer." When asked where she got the money for her mother's medical expenses, An quietly replied that she borrowed from neighbors. Hearing this, she gave An 10 million dong to cover her mother's medication.

When An learned that her tuition would be covered until graduation, she burst into tears and kept repeating, "Are you serious, teacher? Please 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 suffers from low blood pressure, so she can only do odd jobs…

She arranged to meet with Le Tien Dat (Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy). She kindly said, "Doctors need English proficiency. How good is your English now? I'll give you money for tuition, and you can ask your teacher what level of English is required in the medical field. You will become a good doctor, improve your life, and have opportunities to study and broaden your horizons abroad."

Dat said he was very surprised when he heard Ms. Nga say she would support him for the full six years. She also provided emotional support and gave him a lot of advice.

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

Nga's story: A difficult educational path, but unwavering determination.

Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga during her university days - Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Born in Hue, in 1977, Nga's family moved to Song Be (now Binh Duong) as part of a new economic zone. Among five siblings, during a difficult period, Nga had to drop out of her third year studying foreign languages ​​at the Ho Chi Minh City Open University.

Armed with her student certificate and a C-level English certificate, she applied for jobs. Many places rejected her because she hadn't graduated from university. A Korean company, however, considered her a special case.

Driven by a burning determination to work diligently, starting from a salary of $100 USD per month as an errand runner, she became the CEO of the company six months later.

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 have developed it sustainably to this day.

In 2007, she suffered from degenerative spinal disease, requiring surgery and leaving her unable to walk for a year and a half. In 2009, her health recovered thanks to exercise, and she participated in courses on financial management, human resources, etc., at PACE Business School.

"After work, I go straight to school. I study everything. I couldn't attend classes during my student years, so now I'm making up for it," she said with a smile.

She has a strong desire to serve society more and give more. She supports those in difficult circumstances and provides scholarships to students at her former school.

In 2011, she was awarded a certificate of commendation by the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City for her active contributions to the city's emulation movement in 2010. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she donated ventilators, mobile X-ray machines, and other equipment to six hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, worth over 8 billion VND.

To the best of her ability, she shared that she could support five students. She confided, "During the scholarship awarding ceremony, I thought about going down to visit some more students. But I was afraid that would make the others feel left out, because they are all facing difficulties. That day, I felt guilty for not being able to support more students."

She urged the students to study hard, and later strive to work diligently and become useful members of society. She hoped they would live with purpose and dreams, and turn those dreams into reality.

"Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, besides helping with tuition fees, I also want to ask the students to tell me if they have any difficulties. If it's within my capabilities, I will help," she confided.

She plans to create a Zalo group of five friends to encourage each other, build connections, and treat them like five godchildren. Her voice was warm: "Treat each other like siblings and consider me family."

100 scholarships awarded to support students in the Quang Nam - Da Nang area.

"Just relax and go to school."

The five students for whom Ms. Le Thi Quynh Nga provided tuition support 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), and Phan Thi Bich Duyen (Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport).

Ms. Vo Thi Le, vice-chair of the Quang Nam - Da Nang School Support Club, said that everyone in the club was delighted when they heard Ms. Nga say she would support the tuition fees for 5 students.

"Hearing that someone was taking care of a few more students made me happy, but Nga is taking care of five of them. I feel so fortunate for them. They have someone to support their education like that, so they can focus on their studies. They should try their best to study well and not let down Nga, the person who has been helping 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