University dream in a 10 m2 rented room
Amidst the busy pace of life in Can Tho City, in a rented space of about 10 m2 in Cai Khe ward, Nguyen Anh Tuan still diligently studies every day with the desire to step into the university lecture hall. Behind the gentle appearance of a 12th grade student is the hard-working story of a mother and daughter who have fought against illness and poverty for many years, but have never given up their studies.
Tuan grew up in an incomplete family. After his parents divorced, his mother, Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Van, brought her child from An Giang province to Can Tho City to rent a room to live by selling bread.
Life, which was already struggling, became even more difficult when in 2017, Ms. Van was diagnosed with breast cancer and hyperthyroidism. The long treatment journey caused the family to fall into debt, and many times it seemed impossible to recover.
After painful chemotherapy sessions, she continued to do all kinds of jobs to earn money to cover living expenses. Currently, she works as a dishwasher at a restaurant in the center of Can Tho, starting from late afternoon until 3 am the next morning. For her, as long as her child continues to go to school, all hardships are worth it.
Feeling sorry for his mother's hardship, Tuan soon realized his responsibility. From 10th grade, outside of school hours, he applied for a part-time job at a friend's grocery store to help his mother earn extra income. During the day, he went to class, in the evening he went to work, many days he returned to his rented room late at night, but Tuan still tried to stay up to study.
What is precious about Tuan is not only his diligence but also his spirit of overcoming circumstances. Throughout three years of high school, he always maintained good academic performance, especially studying English well. In the eyes of teachers and friends, Tuan is a gentle, polite and energetic student.
Ms. Tran Thi Hien - Homeroom teacher said that she has been with Tuan since 10th grade, so she understands his situation very well. According to Ms. Hien, despite life's hardship and his mother's serious illness, Tuan has never complained or given up on his studies.
What moved teachers even more was Tuan's maturity and a sense of responsibility that far exceeded his student age. He rarely talked about his difficulties, always silently striving with actions. It was the adversity that helped that student grow up and nurture a strong will to rise up.
According to Tuan's sharing, his biggest dream is to pass the Logistics and Supply Chain Management major of a University in Can Tho so that he can have a stable job in the future to take care of his mother. For him, studying is not only a way to change the future but also a way to respond to the silent sacrifices of his mother who stayed up all night.
Aspiration from old books
Also carrying many difficulties but never giving up his studies is the story of Vo Duy Toan. Losing his father when he was in 2nd grade, Toan's childhood was associated with days of lack of complete love from his family.
After that incident, her mother, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuy, had to leave her hometown to go to Binh Duong province (old) to work as a worker to raise her three children to study. Toan's three sisters grew up in the care of their aunt.
Without the conditions for extra classes like his friends, Toan mainly studied on his own with old books that teachers asked for from previous students. Every night, after helping her clean the house and prepare meals, he studied until late at night.
Sometimes the pressure of life made Toan think about dropping out of school to work to help his mother. But then the desire to continue going to school and pursue his dream helped him overcome everything.
If I drop out of school, I will probably regret it for the rest of my life because I haven't had time to pursue my dream," Toan confided.
Throughout three years of studying at Luu Huu Phuoc High School (O Mon ward), Toan always achieved good academic performance and good conduct. Not only diligently studying, he also actively participated in cultural, sports and school activities.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Duyen - Homeroom teacher of class 12A9 said that what moves her most in Toan is his optimistic spirit and will to overcome difficulties. Despite his particularly difficult circumstances, Toan has never complained or given up on his studies.
The passion for sports has motivated Toan to nurture the dream of becoming a physical education teacher at Can Tho University. He hopes that in the future he can inspire movement and positive spirit for students.
