Sixteen-year-old Phan Nhat Tan, a student at the Hung Vuong junior high school in Thong Nhat District, is known throughout his native Dong Nai Province for his achievement in his studies and his devotion to his family.
Sixteen-year-old Phan Nhat Tan, a student at the Hung Vuong junior high school in Thong Nhat District, is known throughout his native
He became one of the breadwinners in his family at the age of 13, when his father died unexpectedly following a misunderstanding that led to quarrels with their neighbours.
Tan’s parents came to Dong Nai from
Though very poor, his family lived happily. Suddenly a simple misunderstanding between his family and a neighbouring family, took away his father.
His grandmother died four days later.
His mother was beside herself with grief, but from day one, Tan became the shining light in his mother’s and two sisters’ lives.
His mother recalled the incident that took her husband away forever:
"In 2003, we were running a small shop in the village. One day, a girl living in the house next door came to buy something, but there was no one there to serve her."
"Suddenly I heard someone shout "thief, thief." I ran out quickly and saw the girl holding VND1,000 in her hand. I thought it was my money. Then the girl’s mother and relatives came to my house and started shouting abuse at me. They said it was the girl’s money."
"My husband was called back home to help me. He went straight to the girl’s home and quarrelled with her relatives. He was a bit drunk, and a fight broke out. My husband was stabbed to death. The case was brought to court and the killer was sentenced to one year in jail for manslaughter."
"The court also ordered his family to pay VND10.8 million in compensation for the funeral expenses and to help me bring up my three children until they turn 18 – VND200,000 a month for each child. The court’s verdict came into effect three years ago, but they have not given a single dong to my family."
Tan was 13 when his father and grandmother died. He wanted to share with his family their grief, as well as the burden of eking out a living without their main breadwinner.
He told himself the best way to make his mother happy was to do well at school and help her with the chores at home.
The teachers at Hung Vuong school are very proud of Tan’s achievements.
One particular teacher, Le Cong Nghi, has offered several times to adopt the boy, to provide him with a better environment to further his studies. But Tan and his mother have repeatedly turned down the offer.
Tan’s elder sister, Phan Thi Uyen Nhi, set a bright example for Tan to follow. She was recognised as an excellent pupil for nine consecutive years and won many scholarships for "Poor students who overcame difficulties." Last year, she passed the university entrance exams.
Tan has also won the title of "Excellent Student" for the past nine years.
He has also participated in various extracurricular activities and held different positions in various social organisations, including The Children Vanguard and the Viet Nam Youth Union. He has also won awards in children’s contests, such as "Art Performance," "The Transport Safety Quiz" and "Kaleidoscope."
With the support and assistance of his teachers and peers, Tan most recently won a scholarship through the "Firefly" programme.
"All I want to do now is share my family’s hardship with my mother and sisters, and foster and protect the happiness of our family, just like my father did before he died," said Tan.
(Source: VNS)
