A little girl with persistent effort
Hong Yen was born in 1992 into a family of three siblings. Her father is a farmer, but each day he suffers from various diseases. Her mother must work hard to earn money for Yen and her brother to go to school and cure her father. With this unstable life, Yen and her brother have thought about giving up studying several times to help their parents by earning money.
(Yen was in grade 6 when she fist joined in saigonchildren Child Development Scholarship Programme)
Saigonchildren heard about Yen’s situation when she was in sixth grade and put her into the scholarship program. She confided to us that she’s grateful for the opportunity saigonchildren offered her. She would try her best to take advantages of this chance to make her and her family proud. After graduated high school, Yen decided to go to Sai Gon to prepare for university life. At the same time, she was looking for a part-time job because she didn’t want to impose more burden on her parents at home.
Unfortunately, the result wasn’t as her expectation, so Saigonchildren had to stop her scholarship. However, Yen didn’t give up, she continued to take the exam again and finally she reached her goal of becoming a student of Can Tho University. The next challenge for her was how to afford all the tuition fee and living expenses on her own. Yen reached out to Saigonchildren through a letter to show her ambition, that she wishes to be supported to continue studying until she graduates University. Acknowledging her efforts, Saigonchildren decided to re-assist her scholarship.
(Yen was active in extra-curriculum at university)
Yen is a determined girl with great vigour, although experienced many challenges in her college life, she didn’t let them control her. Yen believes working hard and thinking positive is the way to have success in life. “I will never give up until achieving my dream”, she said. All her efforts were fruited. Yen graduated University and has a decent job, now she can support not only for herself but also to help her family to pay their debts.
Life has not stopped challenging Yen, in 2016, a storm swept across her house and destroyed it. However, local government and her neighbour helped her family to rebuild a small house with big love.
(She found a decent job after she graduated from University)
Watching Yen’s story from an unlucky girl to a strong and energic young lady with many attempts to recreate her own life, Saigonchildren is very proud to be a part of this incredible journey. There are still a number of children with misfortune start in life, and yet we can make a difference by giving them the opportunities to develop their potential in the future. You can do it with us here.