Believe in tomorrow!

Having withdrawn into silence and trauma after a family tragedy, Ho Thanh Do (born in 2010), a Bru-Van Kieu boy from Cay Ca village, Truong Son commune, has gradually risen from the SOS Children's Village in Dong Hoi. With willpower and perseverance, he not only learned to live harmoniously and confidently but also shone on the Vovinam stage. Two silver medals at the Central-Western Highlands Vovinam Championship are well-deserved rewards for the relentless efforts of a boy who knows how to turn difficulties into motivation to succeed.

Living in a loving and caring environment at the SOS Children's Village Dong Hoi, Ho Thanh Do (second from the left) is becoming increasingly open and sociable. - Photo: TA

Overcoming the Darkness

Early in the morning, the small courtyard of the SOS Children's Village in Dong Hoi bustled with the rhythmic chanting of each martial arts move. Amidst the long line of steady footsteps, Ho Thanh Do, a young boy from the Bru-Van Kieu ethnic group, stood out with his small stature but resolute eyes and decisive movements. For Do, martial arts training time was a special time.

He was usually the first to arrive at the training ground, warming up thoroughly before quietly taking his place in line. His figure was thin, his skin tanned, but every move he made exuded strength, discipline, and confidence. Few would have guessed that this small, agile boy with a constant smile had once endured dark days that seemed insurmountable.

Do came to martial arts by chance and as a way to overcome a traumatic past. Four years ago, Do's parents disappeared without a word, leaving Do and her two sisters alone and desolate in the wilderness. In the remote mountains, where hunger and cold still lingered, the fact that three children had no one to care for them was nothing short of a nightmare.

Upon learning the news, local authorities coordinated with charitable organizations to bring the Do sisters to the SOS Children's Village in Dong Hoi for care. "When they first arrived, the children didn't speak, didn't communicate, and only looked at everything with wary eyes. Seeing them then was heartbreaking! We knew they needed time and enough love to heal those wounds," recalled Ms. Hoang Thi Linh, who directly cared for Do at the village.

Love always has a miraculous healing power. Through perseverance, affection, and responsibility, the mothers at the SOS Children's Village helped Do gradually open up. Hearty meals, evening storytelling sessions, and gentle hugs when he woke up startled by nightmares helped Do overcome his insecurities. He began to make friends with his housemates and participate in group activities. Although still shy, his eyes were no longer gloomy, and his face began to smile. Do gradually became more open and sociable, and most importantly, he displayed a very strong will to overcome difficulties.

“Once I asked him: What do you wish for most? Do immediately replied: I want to study hard and be successful so that no one will look down on me later. That answer brought tears to my eyes. A child who was once abandoned carries within him a burning desire to affirm his self-worth. Do is a very special child!” Ms. Linh recounted emotionally.

“Thanh Do is one of the children who truly moves and makes us proud. She has suffered a lot but refuses to accept her circumstances, always striving to overcome them. She possesses perseverance, politeness, a rich emotional life, and especially a spirit of overcoming difficulties. Her achievements in sports are the clearest evidence of the value of love, proper care, and faith in the future,” shared Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Ninh, Director of SOS Children's Village Dong Hoi.

Shine with passion.

Growing up in a disciplined, loving, and supportive environment, Ho Thanh Do gradually discovered a great passion: martial arts. In 2023, he joined Vovinam training at the martial arts club of the SOS Children's Village, founded by Mr. Nguyen Van Tuyen. Although lacking the physical advantages or strength of his peers, Do possesses a resilient spirit that helps him persevere and be patient in every move.

The boy from Bru-Van Kieu, Ho Thanh Do, has a great passion for martial arts. - Photo: TA

After more than a year of diligent training, in 2024, Do participated in the Central-Western Highlands Vovinam Championship for the first time. Facing opponents older and more experienced than him, the boy from the ethnic minority group remained undaunted. He competed bravely, demonstrating skill and masterful technique, winning a silver medal in the 45kg men's sparring category, age group 12-15.

Not stopping there, in 2025, Do continued to participate in the tournament and once again brought home the prestigious silver medal. In addition, Do has won many gold medals in provincial-level competitions. This achievement is not only a source of pride for him personally, but also an invaluable spiritual gift for those who have loved and supported him throughout his difficult years. "Do's achievements are the result of a relentless training process. He never missed a training session, even when he was slightly ill. Once, he fell and bruised his leg, but he still asked to train more," Mr. Tuyen expressed.

For Do, martial arts is not just a sport, but also a way for him to rediscover himself. In the ring, he can express his strength and confidence, qualities he previously thought he lacked. And the medals are his reward, a vivid testament to the "against the wind" journey of a child who was once hurt.

When asked about his future dreams, Do replied, "I want to be a martial arts instructor to teach children like myself. I also want to pursue higher education to help children in my hometown have better lives." A simple dream, yet full of humanistic meaning, stemming from the heart of a boy who has experienced loss and hardship.

At the SOS Children's Village in Dong Hoi, Ho Thanh Do is not the only child facing hardship. However, he is one of the exemplary figures of resilience in overcoming adversity, of a spirit of striving and never giving up; a living testament to the belief that: Love, in the right way, can change a life.

Peace of Mind

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/tin-o-ngay-mai-195602.htm