Willpower and sharing

Le Huynh Duc (front row, second from left) and delegates took a souvenir photo with the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: NVCC

The moment that marked a major turning point in Le Huynh Duc's life was probably the day he returned to SOS Children's Village Vinh - the place that had nurtured Duc throughout his childhood. But this time, Duc was a training expert at SOS Children's Villages International. That day, the 27-year-old man stood in front of the children, sharing the topic "Preparing to leave the youth program", with the hope of helping them better understand the challenges and how to prepare for the future. "I was once in your position, experiencing the feeling of confusion when leaving a familiar roof. But I want you to know that, if you prepare well and are determined, there will always be opportunities ahead," Duc shared with emotional eyes and reminiscing about his own story.

No one understands better than Duc the difficulties that young people in similar situations face. From financial independence, lack of life skills, to the feeling of insecurity when leaving the protective arms of the Village... That is also the reason why Duc constantly strives to build support programs for the community of young adults who have grown up in care facilities.

Currently, Duc is implementing many activities to support young people. One of Duc's most dedicated projects is to organize training sessions to help mothers and aunts - those who directly care for children - gain more knowledge about parenting skills, as well as help children equip themselves with life skills, financial skills and career orientation.

At the same time, he also founded a comprehensive scholarship program, supporting English learning and international certification exam preparation completely free of charge for students. The program helps improve foreign language skills and combines career counseling. "I want students to step out into society with confidence. When I see a young person who can be independent and has a clear direction for the future, I know that my efforts are meaningful," Duc added.

When asked about the biggest difficulties facing young people, Duc highlighted four main challenges: finance, career orientation, lack of skills and the feeling of losing spiritual support. To address these issues, Duc organizes free classes and builds a network of young adults from SOS Children's Villages across Vietnam, where seniors can support, share experiences and accompany the children on the path to adulthood. "We are not alone. We have each other," Duc said, his eyes filled with determination.

Not only is he a teacher and mentor for young people, Duc is also a familiar face in international youth exchange programs. In 2024, Duc is honored to become one of 17 delegates representing Vietnamese youth to participate in SSEAYP, the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program.

During the month-long journey on the SSEAYP ship, Duc and the Vietnamese delegates participated in many activities to introduce Vietnamese culture to international friends. From cultural performances imbued with national identity, traditional handicraft demonstrations, to introducing traditional cuisine and Tet customs, all were meticulously and elaborately prepared. In particular, when the ship visited Ho Chi Minh City, Duc and the delegates acted as cultural “ambassadors”, bringing international friends to explore the beauty of this vibrant city.

Duc has also represented Vietnam in many other international programs such as JENESYS, Angkor Songkran and the International Adult Youth Conference in India... These experiences have helped him broaden his thinking, bringing new ideas and motivation to community projects in Vietnam, especially in the field of protecting children's rights and improving the quality of the alternative care system. In addition, Duc is also an English teacher, running an IELTS test preparation center in Da Nang. With the desire to help disadvantaged young people access foreign language education, he has implemented free classes and developed an online teaching model.

It can be said that Le Huynh Duc's journey is a testament to the spirit of overcoming difficulties, compassion and the desire to constantly improve. From an orphan boy to a teacher, from a child who received protection from the community to a person willing to dedicate himself to young people in similar circumstances, Duc has proven that, regardless of the starting point, as long as we have the will and determination, we can write the story of our lives in the best way.

The starting point does not determine the destination. What is important is perseverance, determination and kindness. Success will always smile on those who really try"

Le Huynh Duc

MAI DUC HOANG LINH

Source: https://baodanang.vn/channel/5433/202505/nghi-luc-va-se-chia-4006289/