The determination of an orphan student whose mother has cancer

In a cramped house in Hamlet 2, Nghia Minh Commune (Nghia Dan), Dang Hung Dung (born 2000) was absorbed in math problems, despite the sweat dripping down his face. At that moment, Nguyen Thi Oanh (Dung's mother) walked in to chat: "During the harvest season, even though I am sick, I still have to work hard to earn food for the two of us. Dung is about to take an exam, I want him to spend time and focus on his studies."

For a long time, Dang Hung Dung has been known as a student of Co Do High School (Nghia Dan) with remarkable achievements such as: Third prize in the Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Competition; Third prize in Chemistry at the Provincial Excellent Student Competition; achieved the title of excellent student for 3 consecutive years; was an excellent member of the Youth Union to attend the Party target class...

Dang Hung Dung and his mother in front of the small house. Photo: Duong Thao

But not many people really know the unfortunate and difficult situation of the student from the red land when his beloved father unfortunately passed away in a traffic accident when he was very young. The family was already poor, now losing the pillar of the family, Dung and his mother (the older brother is 5 years older than Dung) were lost.

Children who have lost their fathers always have to bear many disadvantages, the mother tries her best to do everything, hoping to compensate for the love. All year round, Ms. Oanh works hard in the fields, almost never resting. After finishing the housework, she rushes to find a job to earn more money to raise her children.

Seeing their mother so tired and exhausted, with her face dark and her hands full of calluses, Dung and his brothers often encouraged each other to study hard and use their study results to encourage their mother. Miraculously, after each semester, when she was able to cherish the certificates of merit and academic achievements of her children, Ms. Oanh felt all her hardships and worries disappear.

Dang Hung Dung and Mr. Vo Van Quy (Vice Principal of Co Do High School) at the Scholarship Awarding Ceremony for Excellent Students of Nghe An Province. Photo: Thanh Hai

Dung was in 11th grade, his brother was studying at university in Ho Chi Minh City, his mother suddenly felt her health decline, her whole body ached, sometimes she could not sit up. After much hesitation, she finally had to go to the doctor, and then Ms. Oanh was stunned when she received the conclusion that she had thyroid cancer.

Seeing the pain tormenting his mother’s thin, fragile body, Dung’s tears just kept flowing. He stayed up all night watching his mother’s meals and sleep. Dung knew that cancer treatment was extremely expensive, with a month in the hospital, several radiation treatments, selling all his assets, and borrowing money from relatives to pay for the medicine.

There was a time when Dung thought of having to stop studying to take care of his mother and work to earn money. But Oanh, teachers, and friends all encouraged Dung to continue, that the difficulties and hardships would be solved. Obediently, he continued to go to school, studying and taking care of his mother.

Faced with Dung’s situation, the school decided to waive or reduce the contributions, and the teachers helped by buying more books and clothes to help the student gain more strength. On days when his mother was seriously ill and had to stay home to take care of her, the subject teachers spent time exchanging knowledge, helping Dung not to “run out of breath”.

Thanks to that source of motivation, in grade 11 he still maintained the title of excellent student, participated in the provincial excellent student competition and won third prize in Chemistry. Those achievements were a gift for his sick mother, giving her strength to fight against the serious illness...

In grade 12, Dang Hung Dung continued to receive the attention, encouragement and sharing of teachers. Some organizations awarded valuable scholarships, continuing to be a source of motivation to help Dung overcome difficulties and challenges. Realizing that Dung had the ability to research, teachers guided, suggested and implemented the topic to participate in the Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Competition.

With the topic “Automatic flushing system for men’s urinals”, under the guidance of Mr. Dau Dinh Nhan, Dung and a classmate spent a lot of time and effort to implement. The topic was evaluated by the jury as being really practical, keeping the environment clean, can be widely applied and was awarded the third prize.

Dang Hung Dung diligently reviewed knowledge to prepare for the exam. Photo: Duong Thao

Before the exam, Dung hesitated, at times thinking about not registering for the university entrance exam to go to work to earn money to help his mother, because his mother's illness was under control but still required regular monitoring and treatment. Once again, Ms. Oanh and the teachers were there to encourage him, helping him confidently register for the university entrance exam.

Ms. Oanh shared: "Dung's brother has graduated and found a job in Ho Chi Minh City. I don't want Dung to stop studying because of difficult circumstances and illness."

Dang Hung Dung registered to take the entrance exam to Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics, where his studies would be easier because his brother was working in the city. He confided: “I don’t know what else to do but to be determined to pass the university entrance exam so that I can repay my mother and teachers.”