Life's Journey - Helping Underprivileged Students Fulfill Their Dreams

(Baonghean) - Throughout the country, and particularly in Nghe An province, many students, especially in remote areas, have to walk to school. With distances ranging from 5-10 km, or even further, whether in winter or summer, many children have to wake up early to be on time for class. This significantly impacts their academic performance and their ability to continue their education. Understanding and sharing these difficulties, AIA Vietnam Life Insurance Company and the Vietnam Children's Protection Fund have launched the "Journey of Life" program with the goal of raising funds to donate bicycles, making the path to school and the future brighter for poor but studious students.

In some localities, after learning about the circumstances, talking to, and interacting with the students, we realized that the bicycles donated by the program are truly meaningful gifts. They not only shorten the journey to school for the children but also provide warm encouragement, motivating them to overcome difficulties and look forward to a brighter future. Phan Thi Ly Ly, born in 2000, from Block 6, Nghi Thuy Ward (Cua Lo town), is one such case.

With a bicycle, Ly Ly could not only take her younger brother to school, but on her days off she could also ride her bike to look for work.

Born into a poor family in a coastal area, Ly's mother was constantly ill and unable to do heavy work, leaving the entire family dependent on her father's lottery ticket sales. However, her father – the main breadwinner – passed away in an accident. Ly's older sister had to drop out of school to work and help support their mother. Ly herself worked while studying to earn money for her education. During the summer, she would wake up at 5 a.m. to sell souvenirs on the beach and return home at 10 or 11 p.m., yet from first grade to tenth grade, she consistently achieved the title of outstanding student.

Ly shared: "Previously, our family only had one bicycle for my mother and sister to use for work, so my younger brother, who is in 5th grade, and I often had to walk 4-5 km to school. In 2015, the 'Journey of Life' program donated a bicycle to me, and I was so happy I cried. I've taken very good care of it. With the bicycle, I can not only take my brother to school, but on weekends I can also ride to find work to help my sister and mother. I would like to thank the program for giving me such a meaningful gift."

We met Dinh Thi Hong, a student at Thinh Truong Secondary School (Nghi Loc), one of the 50 students who received bicycles from the "Journey of Life" program in 2015. Hong emotionally shared: "My family is very poor. My father passed away early, and my mother works in the fields alone to support our education."

"My family has four siblings, but we only have two bicycles, one of which is broken. Every day, I have to walk nearly 3 km to school. Therefore, receiving a new bicycle from AIA Vietnam Insurance Company makes me very happy. I would like to thank the program and promise to study hard to fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher..."

The joy of the students receiving bicycles from AIA Vietnam.

It can be said that each bicycle donated not only helps underprivileged students like Ly and Hong shorten their distance to school to continue their education, but also gives them another opportunity to attend school, ensuring their dream of a brighter future. Therefore, the news that AIA Vietnam will continue to organize the "Journey of Life" program for the third consecutive year in Vinh City (Nghe An) on June 3rd also means that more underprivileged students will be given this opportunity and share this joy.

The meaningful aspect of AIA Vietnam's "Journey of Life" fundraising cycling program is the increasing attention from social organizations, individuals, and many businesses to poor children at risk of dropping out of school due to a lack of transportation.

Speaking to us, Mr. Ha Van Phuc, Director of the AIA Nghe An General Agency Office, shared: "My childhood was filled with many difficulties as I strived to achieve success in life and my career. Therefore, I, as well as my family members, understand and empathize with children who share the same circumstances as I did before."

The "Journey of Life" cycling convoy on the streets of Vinh City.

We believe that sharing difficulties with others is also a culture of gratitude in life. My wife and I have participated in many different charitable activities, but we feel that the "Journey of Life" program launched by AIA Vietnam has a profoundly humane meaning. Thank you, AIA Vietnam, for creating such a meaningful program so that my wife and I can contribute a small part to making life better.

Mr. Ha Van Phuc's sentiments perfectly reflect what the AIA Nghe An General Agency Office in particular, and the AIA Vietnam life insurance agency force in general, have been and continue to strive for, so that the wheels of compassion can continue to roll, contributing to bringing joy, happiness, and opportunities for a brighter future to many poor children with particularly difficult circumstances nationwide.

Gia Huy