Savings...

(Baonghean) - After traversing the Bu Xen pass and nearly 20km of mountain roads, we arrived at Pieng Diem village, Chau Phong commune (Quy Chau district). This is a village where 100% of the inhabitants are ethnic Thai people. Their lives are still very difficult due to the remote terrain, lack of access to the national power grid, and absence of a market... Despite the hardships, the children of Pieng Diem village have a very high spirit of learning. Most families in the village place great importance on their children's education. A prime example is the couple Mr. Vi Van Thuy and Mrs. Vi Thi Thoan.

Mr. Vi Van Thuy (born in 1962) is of the Thai ethnic group. His family was large, leading to poverty. Growing up, like his peers in this disadvantaged area, Mr. Thuy did not have the opportunity to receive a proper education. After dropping out of school to work on the farm and help his parents, Mr. Thuy married Ms. Vi Thi Thoan (born in 1964).

The couple faced many hardships, primarily relying on the unreliable yield of their terraced rice fields and the year-round crop failures. Poverty and hunger constantly plagued Mr. Thuy and Mrs. Thoan.

Despite being poor and having many children, Mr. Thuy's four children are all well-behaved and intelligent. His eldest daughter, Vi Thi Hong (born in 1984), after graduating from the Nghe An College of Economics and Technology with a degree in accounting, was hired to work at the Quy Chau District Irrigation and Construction Station. His second daughter, Vi Thi Ha (born in 1986), achieved the title of excellent student for 12 consecutive years and passed the entrance exam for the Corporate Finance Department at the Academy of Finance and Accounting. Currently, Vi Thi Ha has graduated and works at Thai Duong Animal Feed Joint Stock Company (Hung Yen).

Following in the footsteps of her two older sisters, the third sibling, Vi Thi Thin (born in 1988), also passed the entrance exam to study at the Faculty of Economic Information - Academy of Finance and Accounting. She has now graduated and is working on a non-governmental project in Quy Chau district.

The youngest brother, Vi Dinh Khiem (born in 1991), also had a reputation for being a good student from his village school, consistently achieving excellent grades. The period when Khiem was in middle and high school was the most difficult time for the family. During this time, all three of Khiem's ​​older sisters were studying at universities and colleges; therefore, providing financial support for all four siblings simultaneously became a huge burden for Mr. Thuy and Mrs. Thoan.

Despite the difficulties, Khiem worked very hard in his studies and passed the entrance exam to the University of Transport and Communications. Currently, Khiem is in his fourth year and has achieved high grades in most semesters, earning a scholarship from the university.

Speaking about the difficulties of raising four children through university and college, Mr. Vi Van Thuy said: "Although I knew there were many difficulties, seeing my children being well-behaved and excelling in their studies, my conscience as a father wouldn't allow me to let them drop out. Therefore, my wife and I encouraged each other to work odd jobs, not shying away from any work as long as it provided money to send our children to school. During this time, besides working as laborers and farming, I also took advantage of digging ponds to raise fish, so I had some extra income. Four children who have received a good education and have stable jobs are our priceless assets, our savings..."

Dinh Tiep