The program awarded 20 special scholarships worth 15 million VND each to new students from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds and 114 scholarships worth 10 million VND each to new students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have excelled in their studies.
New student Tran Thi Hong Ngoc, K64, Institute of Journalism and Communication Training, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, was one of the 20 students to receive that special scholarship. On the program's stage, Ngoc's story was shared.
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu and student Tran Thi Hong Ngoc on stage at the scholarship awarding ceremony of Tuoi Tre newspaper.
Ngoc's mother, Tran Thi Hat (57 years old), has been disabled since her youth. At the age of 23, while doing community service in her local area, a tree fell and broke her left arm. This unexpected tragedy struck when her family was poor and lacked the money for treatment, so her arm had to be amputated.
From the moment she was born, Ngoc lacked a father's love. In their simple home, mother and daughter relied on each other. Without land to cultivate and unable to handle the strenuous work, her mother took a job as a clerk for the commune to earn extra income. Their main monthly source of income was the meager government subsidies and the clerk's allowance.
Three years ago, noticing her health deteriorating, she went to the hospital for a check-up and discovered she had thyroid cancer. Life for the mother and daughter became even more difficult because Mrs. Hat spent more time in the hospital than at home.
"The day my mother was diagnosed with a serious illness coincided with the months I was studying for my high school entrance exams. At that time, I considered dropping out of school and finding a job to support my mother. But then my teachers advised me against it, and my mother told me to try my best to finish 12th grade and get my diploma before deciding what to do next," Ngoc recalled.
Aware of her family's poverty from an early age, Ngoc always strived to study hard. Every school year, she achieved the title of excellent student. During summer breaks and long school holidays, Ngoc would take on odd jobs, from washing dishes and harvesting rice to serving food in restaurants, to help support her mother.
"When I received my acceptance letter, I knew my family's circumstances made it impossible for me to attend university, so I just showed it to my mother as an achievement I had worked hard for. I planned to ask her for some money to have it framed and keep as a memento. Thinking about the future, I tossed and turned many nights, unable to sleep. I saw my mother, just like me, constantly turning over in her sleep. We hugged each other and cried," Ngoc confided.
When the screen on the stage showed a clip of Hong Ngoc, the image of Ngoc's mother appeared – a woman with a weathered face, bearing the characteristic tanned skin of people born and raised in the sun-drenched central region of Vietnam. Her steps were difficult and unsteady due to her unbalanced center of gravity, and especially her eyes – the eyes of a frail mother, heartbroken and helpless. In the simple house with its barren garden, the image of the strong-willed student, her face glistening with sweat, was cutting vegetables. Her eyes were sad, and that sadness permeated the embrace she gave her mother.
The heartwarming images and story of the family moved everyone in the hall to tears.
During the Q&A session with the two scholarship recipients, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Lieu - Head of the Political and Student Affairs Department, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi - shared the story of the compassionate journey of the teachers and staff of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in particular, and the community in general, who have supported Ngoc.
“When I read the article in Tuoi Tre newspaper about Ngoc's difficult family circumstances and her unfulfilled dream of attending university, Mr. Pham Quang Minh – the school principal – immediately called me to inform me of the decision to waive all tuition and dormitory fees for Ngoc's four years of university studies. That same afternoon, after finishing my class, I decided to drive from Hanoi to Nghi Loc, Nghe An to pick her up for enrollment,” Mr. Lieu shared. “I went to pick her up, to personally share the joy and encourage Ngoc's mother to rest assured and focus on her recovery. I returned to make a commitment to the teachers and the authorities that I would continue to educate Ngoc to become a good person, and also to encourage her, hoping she would overcome her difficulties. Ngoc has become a precious "medicine" for her mother during her most difficult times.”
That spontaneous, unplanned trip was one of the most honorable and joyful journeys and experiences in his life as a teacher. Teacher Lieu shared that, in the past, when he was a poor student from Ha Tinh province, he received a lot of help from others to become a student at Hanoi University. Therefore, "I received, and now I give back."
In addition to the 15 million VND scholarship, Tuoi Tre newspaper reader Nguyen Van Minh and his group of friends in Dong Nai donated an extra 10.5 million VND to new student Hong Ngoc to help her cover her study expenses.
Now, Ngoc has officially become a new student at the Institute of Journalism and Communication Training. Leaving behind the image of the student with the melancholic eyes, Hong Ngoc smiles brightly as she shares her current and future plans:
“I love reading, so I applied to be a librarian at the Institute so I could read as much as possible. I've received a lot of help from the community, and I hope to give back in some way through volunteer activities, so I registered as a member of the University's Volunteer Club. I will also participate in the University's Student Scientific Research activities. I will start learning journalism in my first year, completing my student life to the fullest so that I can become a journalist after graduation.”
"If we were to compare ourselves to windmills, I think people's faith would be the most refreshing breeze that helps us spread our wings and pursue our dreams.",Ngoc shared.
Mr. Le Xuan Trung, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper, extended his congratulations to the new university students from the Northern and North Central regions who were selected to receive the "Supporting Students to School" scholarship. He emphasized that the "Supporting Students to School" scholarship is a reward, sharing aspirations with new students. Articles about these students published in Tuoi Tre newspaper make the newspaper more humane, inspire readers, and contribute to making our lives better."We believe this award is meant to motivate you on your journey to fulfill your academic dreams and achieve success."Mr. Le Xuan Trung sent this message.
Mr. Vu Duy Hai, Chairman of the Board and General Director of Vinacam Joint Stock Company, on behalf of the sponsor, conveyed a message to the new students about precious trees that grow from the crevices of rocks, unyielding against the wind and enduring for centuries: “The ‘Supporting Students to School’ scholarship fund is just like a hand lifting you up a little, helping you gain momentum to climb the hill; the rest you must continue to strive for. You are also trees that have nurtured and risen from hardship; I believe you will contribute to the future of the country, improving the country in terms of environment, economy, culture, and improving your villages, rural areas, and your own families.”
Participating in the program, the beauty queen "The Crescent Moon" Be Thi Bang (Bang Bang) ignited the faith and enthusiasm of new university students to overcome difficulties through her graceful and vibrant dance. Bang Bang had previously been involved in a traffic accident, losing one leg, and seemed to have only darkness left in her life. But then, this young woman bravely overcame that period of uncertainty, becoming a source of motivation for those facing similar hardships.
Wearing a dazzling red dress and confidently standing on one leg in sparkling high heels, Bang Bang sent a message to hundreds of new students:"Learning isn't the only path to success, but it's the best path to a brighter future."
Humanitarian messages were spread across the stage of the scholarship award ceremony: A pinwheel is only beautiful and meaningful when it spins in the wind; people only mature and perfect themselves when they overcome difficulties and challenges. Kind hearts will not let any student have to put aside their dream of education just because of difficult circumstances. Students only need to try their best, and there will always be helping hands to support them. And these students will become role models and sources of motivation for many others.
Author:Nguyen Nga
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