Female student works for hire, even sells her hair to maintain her studies

After class, Nguyen Thi Hong always works hard. Photo: Huu Vi

Nguyen Thi Hong is currently studying in class 10A3, Tan Ky 3 High School, Tan Ky District. According to information from Hong's friends and the school's principal, this female student's situation is quite special. After school, she has to take care of her 78-year-old grandmother who is no longer able to work and her seriously ill mother.

Hong’s grandmother’s house, where she lives (Trung My hamlet, Huong Son commune), is more than 8 km from the school. The two-room house is hidden behind a fence. Hong’s grandmother said that her father left when she was still in her mother’s womb. So she and her mother lived with her grandmother.

Despite many difficulties in life, Hong always tries not to miss school. Photo: Huu Vi

But Hong's mother became disabled after a near-death illness. Grandma is getting older and is no longer able to work. All the burden falls on her granddaughter who is still in school age.

Every day, Hong usually wakes up at 5am and prepares meals for the whole family, then cuts grass for the pair of cows supported by the state before going to class.

She has been doing this since she started 6th grade. When she entered 10th grade, her house was far from school and she thought she would have to drop out, but her aunts still tried to pool their money to buy her a 50cc motorbike. Recently, to have money to buy rice and gas to go to school, Hong had to cut half of her hair...

The daughter "tutors" her mother how to cook a pot of rice without burning it. Photo: Xuan Thuy

“I’m not discouraged,” Hong said, adding that after school she would work to earn money to buy rice and gas to get to class. “At least I have to finish high school.” The young girl was determined.

Teacher Nguyen Van Thinh - Principal of Tan Ky 3 High School, shared: "Nguyen Thi Hong's situation is especially difficult. Recently, the school has given her gifts from charity groups. Hong is also exempted from contributions (except for mandatory ones). We hope that benefactors will provide more support so that she can help her family and go to school with peace of mind."

The young girl said she would not drop out of school, even if she had to work to earn money after school. Photo: Huu Vi