Miracle of compassion lights up future for two orphaned siblings

“If the program ‘Wings of Dreams’ by Dong Nai Newspaper, Radio and Television (DNNRTV), the provincial Study Promotion Fund, and benefactors had not come, I do not know where my educational journey and my life would have gone. The program not only offers material support, but also serves as an invaluable source of spiritual strength, warming my sibling and me during the coldest and loneliest days. I promise to study very hard so as not to betray the kindness of everyone,” said Nong Van Nam, his tears falling continuously from emotion, at the scholarship connection program “Wings of Dreams” held on December 21.

In the cramped space of the small compassion house in group 4, Hai Can hamlet, Phu Nghia commune (Dong Nai province), sobs and tears did not fall only on the faces of those directly involved, but also streamed down the cheeks of those attending.

Dong Nai Study Promotion Association awards a study promotion scholarship worth 30 million VND to Nam. Photo: Phu Quy

The journey to school for the Tay ethnic student has been extremely arduous. Eleven years ago, a labor accident took away his father, the family’s breadwinner. And the pain piled upon pain when, just 20 days ago, his hardworking mother also passed away permanently due to lung cancer. The greatest sacrifice came from Nam’s younger sister, Nong Thi Hoa (18 years old). Right after graduating from high school recently, Hoa quit school, giving up her opportunity to study for her brother. To cling to the lecture halls of the industrial electricity major at Dong An High Technology College (Ho Chi Minh City), Nam took on all kinds of jobs: from waiting tables, clearing grass, to tapping rubber latex for hire. Those sweat-soaked earnings were only enough for simple daily meals, while the tuition fee of 20 million VND per semester remained a huge barrier that the two siblings could not overcome.

Bui Thi Huong, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Province Association for the Support of People with Disabilities, Orphans and Poor Patients, presented Nam with a scholarship worth 5 million VND. Photo: Phu Quy

Colonel Hoang Van Hung, Political Commissar of Economic - Defense Group 778 (Military Region 7) awarded a scholarship of 5 million VND to support the schooling dream of the two orphaned siblings. Photo: Phu Quy

Representatives of Phu Nghia commune's leadership and the Hai Can hamlet management board mobilized and awarded 10 million VND, along with several support solutions, to repair the housing and sanitation facilities for the two orphaned siblings. Photo: Phu Quy

Not letting the tears of sorrow from the two siblings' difficult situation continue to fall, one by one, people stepped forward, bringing warm hugs, heartfelt words of comfort, and compassionate scholarships. The total amount that Nam and his sibling received from the program exceeded 135 million VND. To ensure a long-term and sustainable future, the program carefully managed and allocated the funds as follows: 30 million VND was used to immediately pay Nam’s tuition so he could confidently continue his second year of study; 7 million VND was provided for Hoa to resume her training in skin care and physical therapy, pursuing her unfinished dream; more than 8 million VND supported their living expenses; and 90 million VND was deposited in a savings account under Nam’s name, with the passbook managed by hamlet officials to cover his future educational journey.

The power of compassion is truly the miraculous “lifebuoy” that helped Nam and Hoa overcome the turbulent waves of life. The success of the journey “Wings of Dreams” (issue 125) once again stands as the most vivid testament to the truth: “When we join hands, no pain is impossible to soothe, and no legitimate dream is left behind,” shared Trinh Thi Tam, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Study Promotion Association.

Every loving embrace, every compassionate scholarship has lit the flame of faith, illuminating the path to school for the two Tay ethnic siblings. Photo: Phu Quy

By Thu Hien – Translated by Minh Hanh, Minho