When determination uplifted by compassionate scholarships

On April 16, at Nam Ha High School (Tran Bien Ward), Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television, in coordination with the provincial Study Promotion Association, organized the 129th “Wings of Dreams” scholarship program. More than VND 236 million was awarded to Tang Hoang Tuyet (Class 12A07), helping her confidently pursue her dream of attending university.

Hoang Tuyet is an outstanding student with many consecutive years of academic excellence and numerous academic awards. With a solid knowledge foundation, she had set her sights on enrolling in the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), majoring in Finance. However, just as the door to higher education seemed within reach, it was overshadowed by her family’s illness and financial hardship.

In 2022, while her mother was undergoing treatment for breast cancer, her father was also diagnosed with tongue cancer. The illnesses deprived the family’s main breadwinner of his ability to work. Despite deteriorating health, her mother continues to work as a factory worker to make ends meet. The family now lives in an old house at the end of Cau Hang neighborhood, Tran Bien Ward. Their last hope, Tuyet’s older brother, also faced setbacks. After leaving military service early to support the family, a traffic accident while working as a delivery driver left him burdened with compensation debt that remains unresolved after a year.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial Study Promotion Association, presented a scholarship worth 30 million VND to Tang Hoang Tuyet. Photo: Thu Hien

Listening to Tuyet’s story, many were moved to tears by the image of a young girl rushing between hospital and home, caring for her father during an eight-hour surgery due to a ruptured blood vessel. Meanwhile, her mother underwent partial organ removal to fight for survival. For many days, her journey to school was weighed down by anxiety and the constant fear that her mother might not hold on long enough to see her enter university.

Timely support from compassionate donors came just before one of the most important exams of her life. Notably, the Dong Nai Study Promotion Association awarded a scholarship worth VND 30 million, while the provincial Association for the Support of People with Disabilities, Orphans and Poor Patients contributed VND 5 million. For the first time hosting the program, Nam Ha High School’s staff and students collectively raised over VND 135 million. The school’s parent association and alumni group also presented two scholarships worth VND 5 million each. In addition, donors from localities such as Dong Xoai and Binh Phuoc, though unable to attend in person, sent their heartfelt support through valuable scholarships.

The collective of staff, teachers, students, the Parents' Representative Committee, and the alumni group of Nam Ha High School jointly mobilize and present heartfelt scholarships. Photo: Thu Hien

In total, Tuyet received more than VND 236 million in scholarships in the program. To ensure effective use, the organizing committee allocated VND 16 million for immediate living expenses and exam preparation. In the meantime, the remaining VND 220 million was deposited in a savings account under her name, with Nam Ha High School managing the passbook, ensuring her university education.

A representative of the Board of Principals of Nam Ha High School presents a letter of gratitude to Dong Nai Newspaper and Radio, Television, and presents flowers to the Provincial Study Promotion Association for their timely support of the school's disadvantaged students. Photo: Thu Hien

Overwhelmed with emotion, Tuyet shared: “I have no words beyond gratitude. I promise to study hard and keep striving to achieve my dream, worthy of the trust, love, and support from the program and the kind-hearted people who have given so much to me.”

The organizers, the school, and philanthropists have created a true miracle for the university dream of this poor but resilient female student. Photo: Thu Hien

The 129th “Wings of Dreams” program concluded not only with impressive figures but also with the joyful smile of Hoang Tuyet, thereby spreading hope and inspiring many other disadvantaged students on their journey to pursue knowledge.

By Thu Hien – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho