At the recent PowHERful Vietnam Girls’ Summit on 29th October, Văn Thị Mười Ngọc tried her hand at leading a panel discussion. In an event with successful speakers and thousands of viewers, Ngọc, though nervous and anxious, managed to overcome herself and performed her role very well.
She shares her feeling about this memorable moment, “Taking on this task (as a coordinator) is what I want to try in order to step out of my comfort zone and discover the values I can bring. To be able to listen to insightful perspective and sharing from speakers is a motivation for me to stay firmed and persistent in my chosen career path.”
Ngọc’s greatest expectation at the Summit was not only limited to conversations with inspiring female figures she admires, but also to connect with other female students receiving U-Go scholarship, a programme jointly organised by the international organisation U-Go and saigonchildren to support female university students in difficult circumstances. Therefore, the gathering of the 85 peers like her who are in the process of self-development on the same day was an unforgettable opportunity for her, made even more special by the presence of Mr. Tom Monroe, U-Go’s Director of Programs, who came to Vietnam to participate in the event with the students.
Ngọc has been a scholarship recipient of saigonchildren since her secondary school years. She lives under a roof with her extended family, a home constructed with financial support from the local government two years ago. Due to health issues, her mom’s ability to work has weakened. To alleviate the economic burden on her dad, her sister made the difficult decision to give up on her university dream and started working at a company as a blue-collar worker and learnt a foreign language at extra classes.
From a young age, Ngọc had a passion for exploring machines and tools in the house. Later, when she got in touch with devices like smartphones and computers, her passion for technology grew even stronger. So, at the threshold of university, she didn’t hesitate to choose to pursue a degree in Information Technology, with the dream of asserting that women can excel in a field in which they are currently a minority.
During the initial days of her university life, Ngọc faced challenges in adapting to a new environment and the presence of exceptionally talented peers. She dedicated numerous hours, often studying until midnight, to learn, revise, acquire new knowledge, and refine her skills to cope with the pressure. Ngọc aspires to become an application developer. She envisions herself creating platforms that contribute to enhancing the quality of life for users and society.
To learn more about the ways saigonchildren is empowering women like Ngọc, check out our Scholarship Programme.