"Wings of Dreams" awards over 180 million VND in scholarships

That was the amount received by Do Quang Bien, a 12A5 student at Loc Ninh High School (Dong Nai Province), during the 122nd "Wings of Dreams" scholarship award ceremony. The event was held on September 19, jointly organized by Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio & Television, in collaboration with the Provincial Study Promotion Fund.

Attending the event were representatives of Loc Ninh Commune authorities, sponsors and co-sponsors, volunteer groups, along with staff, teachers, and students of Loc Ninh High School.

The 122nd “Wings of Dreams” scholarship ceremony takes place in a solemn and warm atmosphere at Loc Ninh High School. Photo: Phu Quy

In an atmosphere of love and solidarity, the underprivileged student bravely shared the hardships of his journey. As the new school year began, while his peers beamed in crisp uniforms with new backpacks and supplies, Bien remained quiet in worn clothes, secondhand textbooks, and borrowed school materials. Rising above his circumstances, Bien has maintained strong academic performance for the past 11 years. He harbors a dream of pursuing a degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport.

Trinh Thi Tam, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Study Promotion Association, presents him with a scholarship worth 30 million VND from the Study Promotion Fund. Photo: Phu Quy

However, as his dream drew closer, his family’s circumstances became more difficult. His father, in his 60s and in poor health, could only work as a rubber-tapping shed guard with a meager income. His mother, once a factory worker, had to quit due to heart disease and a liver artery aneurysm. She now survives by selling a few packets of noodles and bottles of water to workers after their shifts. In a makeshift hut on the land of Rubber Plantation No. 2 (Loc Ninh Rubber Company), the family struggles daily, and Bien risks having to put aside his university dream at any time.

Representatives of Loc Ninh Commune authorities encourage and present a scholarship to Bien. Photo: Phu Quy

Teachers and students of Loc Ninh High School contribute a total of over 65.6 million VND to support him. Photo: Phu Quy

With the program’s message “Our love fuels your dreams,” Bien received a total scholarship amount of 180,350,000 VND, with 10,350,000 VND allocated to help his family maintain a small convenience stall. Meanwhile, 170 million VND was deposited in a savings account for his future study expenses.

“I am truly grateful to the program, the benefactors, teachers, and friends. This scholarship not only provides me with the means to continue studying but also gives me great motivation to strive harder. I hope that one day, when I can take care of my parents, I will also return to help students in situations like mine,” Bien emotionally shared.

The scholarships from benefactors carried love and faith in Do Quang Bien’s perseverance to pursue education. Photo: Phu Quy

At the event, Hang Anh Garment Company (Branch 2, Binh Phuoc Ward) donates new schoolbags to 10 disadvantaged students of Loc Ninh High School. Photo: Phu Quy

The success of the 122nd "Wings of Dreams" program lies not only in the material support it provides but also in the hope and aspiration it inspires in disadvantaged students. More than ever, the program calls for continued compassion and solidarity, ensuring that no poor student is left behind on the journey to knowledge and the effort to build a prosperous and humane Dong Nai.

By Thu Hien - Translated by Trieu Ngan, Minho