The will of an orphaned freshman

(Baonghean) - In the past few days, hearing the news that Tran Thi Phuong, a 12A5 student at Le Hong Phong High School (Hung Nguyen) was admitted to the Faculty of Literature and Pedagogy, Vinh University with 24 points, group C made the whole hamlet 8, Hung Long commune happy. Many people came to celebrate, admiring her determination, because Phuong has no relatives; her grandparents and parents have both passed away, Phuong and her sister live together, overcoming difficult circumstances.

We went to Hamlet 8, Hung Long Commune on a hot day, her house was at the end of a deep alley. The neighbor shouted: "At this time, Phuong probably hasn't come home from work yet, dear?" We asked: "Does Phuong go to work far from here?" The neighbor said: "It depends, sometimes she works as a construction worker, so some days she works far, some days she works nearby, but she comes home every noon..." The neighbor named Huong sat down on the old steps in front of the house and shared: "I have been very close friends with Phuong's grandparents since she was little. Why is her family situation so difficult?" Then she teared up: "People who have the conditions to study are not sure they will pass the university entrance exam. And when they pass, their parents organize a party and invite friends to eat candy and drink water, but Phuong... Will she be able to go to university for 4 years and take care of her younger siblings?...".

Every day, Phuong follows the aunts and uncles in the commune to work as construction workers to earn money to go to school.

Phuong did not have a sweet childhood like many of her peers. She lost her grandparents early, then her mother when she was 12 years old, and her father 2 years ago. The pain piled on top of the pain, as if it was too heavy for her thin shoulders, making many people in the village feel sorry for her. But Hung Long land is still poor, everyone is worried about food and money, so they do not have time to encourage Phuong and her sisters regularly. Phuong has to make an effort in life, lacking the warmth of love from her grandparents and parents. Many times she longs to lean her head on her mother's shoulder to share the joys of studying, to be praised and loved by her mother like when she was alive, but it is just a desire that can never be regained.

More sad and lonely since the day his mother passed away, Phuong's father was sad, had suicidal thoughts and became bad. He was always drunk, cursing and beating Phuong and her sister for no reason, Phuong took the beatings for her countless times. Especially at the beginning of the new school year, he got drunk so he forced Phuong to drop out of school, sometimes even threw away books and notebooks, books Phuong bought with the money she earned from catching crabs and snails... Phuong could only swallow her tears. When he ran out of alcohol, he hugged her and cried, comforting her, "from now on, I won't drink alcohol, I won't beat you anymore...". However, in his drunken state, he wasn't sober enough to realize the pain in his children's hearts, the beatings were rained down on the poor children... 2 years ago, he left Phuong and her sister forever after an accident.

We waited for Phuong to come home when noon was at its peak. In Phuong's small house, there were no valuables except for a cupboard and a desk. "The cupboard and desk were all donated by the school, sister..." Holding Phuong's hands, we noticed the calluses. Despite hardship and deprivation, Phuong threw herself into work, but she never once neglected her studies. She studied while cooking, while working in the fields, and took advantage of her free time to study. It was from this hardship that Phuong had strength, confidence and will. She was always an excellent student at the school throughout all three levels. Especially in grade 11, Phuong won second prize in the province's Geography subject. “Feeling sorry for my situation, teacher Nguyen Thi Bich Giao, my homeroom teacher at the high school, always helped me with books, advised the school to waive all fees during the school year, and called on everyone in the school and children far from home to support me. I have a savings book of 22 million VND thanks to the school's support...”, Phuong emotionally shared.

The thing that Phuong worries about the most right now is her younger brother. Because when she passes the university entrance exam, Phuong often goes to Vinh city to study, how will she live? Who will take care of her brother when her sister is away from home? Phuong tearfully said: "I don't mind being hungry and miserable, I will try to study and find a part-time job...". But the thing that Phuong worries about the most is that when her sister goes to school, how will she manage at home alone...

Saying goodbye to Phuong sisters, we only wish that she will always be healthy, have a strong will to live, and have faith to continue to overcome the difficulties that lie ahead. We send this small article to our readers with the hope that there will be benefactors, individuals, and organizations to help Phuong sisters overcome difficulties and rise up in life./.

An Ngoc