Orphaned female student with high score in D block finds it difficult to fulfill her dream of university

Inhigh school graduation examThis year, Anh Thu scored 25.65 points in block D1 without bonus points, including 9 points in Literature, 8.4 points in English and 8.25 points in Math.

Knowing that you got a high score on the test and can do itdreamBecoming a Foreign Language teacher, Anh Thu was happy and shed tears when her promise to her deceased mother came true. But now what worries her most is that she will not have money to continue her university studies.

Anh Thu is currently living at her aunt's house in Long Son commune. Photo by Thai Hien

Visiting the house of Mrs. Tran Thi Tam in village 5, Long Son commune, Anh Son district, the aunt where Anh Thu has been staying for the past 3 years, we heard stories about Anh Thu's efforts to overcome difficulties over the past years.

Anh Thu confided: In 2014, my mother was seriously ill, diagnosed with acute liver failure and passed away not long after that, when I was only in 6th grade. During the first 2 years after my mother passed away, my father worked far away and I had to stay home alone to burn incense for my mother. Every day, seeing my friends having fun with their mother, I was very sad and missed my mother terribly. Then every night, when it rained sadly, I missed my mother very much. I craved a hug, to be pampered and bury my head in my mother's lap, to eat the food my mother cooked... Not long after, my father remarried and no longer cared for me like before, at that time I was devastated and very lonely, there was a time when I was depressed and wanted to give up everything.

But with all the love for my mother, along with the care, love and encouragement of my relatives, teachers and friends, I overcame all difficulties, was a good boy and studied well so that my mother could rest assured and be proud of me.

Anh Thu and her aunt talk about her difficult life in the past. Photo by Thai Hien

To ensure that her studies were not interrupted, in grade 9, Anh Thu moved to live with her maternal aunt in residential group 3, Anh Son town. After 1 year, she moved back to live with her maternal aunt in village 5, Long Son commune, and has been living with her ever since. Lacking the love of her mother and the care of her father, it was thought that with such great losses, Anh Thu would not be able to overcome them to continue her studies. However, Anh Thu told herself that only studying could change her life, and from there she gradually overcame the difficulties and deprivations and proved her abilities.

In grade 2, I passed the exam to the district's gifted school, among theexcellent student examIn my district, I won first and second prizes in Literature and English. In 9th grade, I won first prize in the writing contest "Letter to my dear mother" organized by Nghe An Provincial Youth Union and the Department of Education and Training.

In her free time, Anh Thu helps her aunt with housework.

In grade 12, Anh Thu passed the entrance exam to the top class of the school.Anh Son 1 High School, throughout her years at school, she has always been an excellent student. In this year's high school graduation exam, Anh Thu scored 25.65 points for block D1 without bonus points, including 9 points for Literature, 8.4 points for English and 8.25 points for Math.

Sharing the secret to achieving high results in studying, the orphaned student said: With my situation, I only have to self-study, self-practice and my own efforts. In addition, my learning method is to pay attention to the teacher's lectures, and if I don't understand, I have to ask in class. At home, I practice doing exercises in textbooks, online exercises and know how to allocate time reasonably for the test. For the exercises that I'm not good at, I do them over and over again, and if I don't understand, I can bring them to class to ask the teacher or ask my friends for help. I don't force myself to stay up too late and I don't think that's an effective way to study. Instead, I usually wake up early around 4:30 every morning to study.

To make money to cover daily expenses, Anh Thu is selling goods online via Facebook. She is packing goods for customers. Photo: Thai Hien

Ms. Tran Thi Tam, Anh Thu's aunt, said: When she was in 10th grade, she took Anh Thu in because she felt sorry for her orphaned niece. Anh Thu was a strong-willed girl who lived a life of poverty and lack of affection, but she tried to overcome everything, was obedient, and studied well. On the day she learned her exam results, after telling her aunt, Anh Thu cried for 2 days without getting out of bed because she was worried about not having money to continue studying.

Grandma is over 60 years old this year and can't take care of me much anymore, she can only encourage me, although the situation is difficult, but my aunt and everyone will try their best so that I can continue to fulfill my dream with my mother. At that age, people don't know how to struggle for a living, but Anh Thu already knows how to do enough work, currently to have money to cover daily expenses, Anh Thu is selling online via Facebook.

Seeing me off at the gate, Anh Thu shed tears and said: I have fulfilled my promise to my mother to try hard to study and pass the university entrance exam. The reason I chose to study foreign language education was to avoid paying tuition fees, to help a little, but I don't know where to get the other expenses for the 4 years of university. I probably won't be able to continue to fulfill my dream, sister.

There is a long and difficult road ahead, and we really need the help of philanthropists and the community to help Nguyen Anh Thu overcome difficulties and continue her dream of going to university for a better future.

Please send any assistance to:

Mr. Tran Van Minh, Mrs. Tran Thi Tam, new village 4, Long Son commune, Anh Son district, Nghe An province.Phone: 0776209427

Or: Publishing and Social Activities Department, Nghe An Newspaper.Phone: 02383522678