Female student with 28.25 points is at risk of missing out on her university dream

Family situation of Tran Thi Hong Nhung (Clip: Hoai Nam)

The determination of a poor student

The house of gratitude, less than 30 square meters wide, is nestled at the foot of the hill in Long Thuy village, Kim Hoa commune, where Tran Thi Hong Nhung - a former student of class 12A3, Cu Huy Can High School ( Ha Tinh ) lives with his parents and younger brother. Inside there is nothing valuable except for the excellent student certificates carefully pasted in the corner of the wall. His father, Mr. Tran Huu Lam (born 1971), is illiterate, in poor health, and has no stable job. His mother, Mrs. Ngo Thi Tam (born 1979), has a mental disorder and is almost unable to work. The whole family relies on a few fields of rice and a small allowance to get by.

Since the day they found out their daughter scored 28.25 points (including 9.5 in Literature, 8.75 in History, and 10 in Geography), Mr. Lam and Mrs. Tam were both happy and worried. “My daughter studies well and gets high scores, so my parents are very happy. But they are also worried because they are afraid they won’t have enough money to send her to school. There were times when we were in dire straits and discussed letting her drop out of school, but every time we talked about it, Nhung cried,” Mrs. Tam said, tears welling up in her eyes.

Nhung's family life is very difficult, they are among the poor households in the locality.

The family of four’s lunch tray in the dilapidated kitchen, which looks like it could collapse at any moment, consists of only bamboo shoots picked from the garden, peanut and sesame salt, and stir-fried jackfruit. Meat and fish are rare dishes, appearing on the tray only two or three times a month. “The kitchen is dilapidated and there is no money to repair it. When it is sunny, we can still cook, but when it is raining, we have to go to my grandfather’s house to cook. The main house was built with support from the State and the villagers’ contribution since 2015. Both husband and wife are in poor health and cannot do anything,” Ms. Tam shared.

Dream of becoming a teacher

Nhung, a small girl with a thin, tanned face, but her eyes are always full of determination. Nhung said her father is illiterate, but he uses an old bicycle to carry her dream to school. Her mother, although not as quick and skillful as others, uses her special love to help her try harder every day.

That is why, throughout her 12 years of studying, Nhung never gave up. For Nhung, the dream of finding letters is not only for herself but also a place where her whole family places their hopes. The image of a little girl on her bike traveling more than 10km every day, regardless of sun or rain, never missing school has made many students of the same age admire her.

Nhung hopes to become an elementary school teacher.

“Before, my father rode his bike to take me to school. Later, I went by myself, but the road to school was very far. Many people told me to quit school, but I thought if I gave up, my parents’ dream would be unfulfilled. My parents didn’t want me to have a hard life in the future, so I had to always strive,” Nhung burst into tears.

Despite living in poverty, Tran Thi Hong Nhung has never allowed herself to give up on her studies. Her 12 years of studying as an Excellent Student and her high scores in the High School Graduation Exam are the “sweet fruits” of her determined efforts as a poor student.

Nhung said she is trying hard to realize her dream of becoming a primary school teacher. With a score of 28.25, she has applied to the Primary Education Pedagogical College.

The young student also shared that she had planned to find a part-time job right from her first year if she passed the university entrance exam. As long as she had extra income to cover her living expenses while away from home, she would reduce the burden on her parents. “If I could go to university, I would work part-time to earn money to cover my living expenses, food, and accommodation. I just need to go to school, to fulfill my dream, and I will always try my best even though I know it will be very difficult,” Nhung said.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha - homeroom teacher of class 12A3, Cu Huy Can High School (Ha Tinh) said, Hong Nhung is a good and polite student, always loved by teachers and friends. She is a typical example of self-study spirit, overcoming difficulties to excel in studying. Although her family's circumstances are very difficult, the way to school is far and the travel is difficult, she has never missed school or complained.

“Especially during the 12th grade exam preparation period, Nhung always tried her best, making the most of her time in class and at home to study. She has a very high sense of learning, is always eager to learn, humble, and is the pride of the class and the teachers,” Ms. Ha shared.

The kitchen is dilapidated, the family only uses it on sunny days, when it rains they cook with their grandparents next door.

Mr. Tran Van Mai - Secretary of Long Thuy village Party cell, Kim Hoa commune said, after hearing the news of the child's death Tran Thi Hong Nhung got high scores in the exam, many villagers came to congratulate and encourage her family. Although born into a family with difficult circumstances, Nhung always tried hard in her studies.

“The family is one of the poor households in the village. The economy is very difficult, there is no stable income. The biggest asset is a cow. The whole family lives in a dilapidated house, which was built with support from the State and the villagers contributed their daily labor. Life is still full of hardships, but the children are very obedient, studious and have the will to succeed,” Mr. Mai added.

Please send any help to:
Family: Mr. Tran Huu Lam, residing in Long Thuy village, Kim Hoa commune (old Huong Son district).
Or me: Tran Thi Hong Nhung (Phone: 0362809542)
Account number: 0362809542
Bank: MB bank (Military Bank)