Le Van Hoa An’s world narrowed to a single, quiet house during a visit on Lunar New Year. He had returned home from school, but his grandmother was gone. She had passed away while he was studying. “I felt like the whole world had collapsed,” An shared softly. “For the first time, I was completely alone and didn’t know what I was working for anymore.”
This was the culmination of a childhood marked by loss. An never knew his mother’s care. Instead, he was raised with deep love by his father and grandmother, who poured all their encouragement into him. His father, in particular, was his greatest champion, fostering his academic passions. But while in 11th grade, An lost his father—a devastating blow that left his grandmother as his last remaining anchor. Now, he was adrift in a grief deeper than any young person should have to bear.
In the mountainous regions of Central Vietnam, poverty and circumstance create thousands of silent struggles. According to UNICEF, children from the poorest households and ethnic minority groups face the highest risks of being left behind, with dropout rates significantly higher in areas like those where An grew up. When family support systems shatter, a child’s education and future often shatter with them.
But in An’s darkest moment, a lifeline appeared. He was selected for Children of Vietnam’s Bright Scholars Program. “When I received the scholarship from COV, I thought it was a dream,” he said.
This support was more than financial; it was the foundation for a new community. Through workshops and a supportive network, An began to heal. He discovered joy in teamwork at the Bright Scholars Camp and gained clarity in, “Design Your Life” workshops. The network of friends and mentors at COV became a source of stability he thought he had lost forever.
Today, An is a dedicated Pharmacy student at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy—one of the country’s top medical institutions—honoring the academic foundation his father helped him build. He balances his studies with volunteering, tutoring younger children at the shelter he once called home. “Never give up. Never settle. After the rain, the sun will come,” he says, a personal mantra that now fuels his desire to give back.
Yet, for every An, there are countless other children in the provinces of Hue City, Quang Ngai, and Da Nang, whose potential is threatened by poverty, loss, and isolation. The same geographic and economic barriers that once defined An’s life still loom large for others.
Hoa An takes part in sports activities and personal development training at the Bright Scholars Camp in July 2025
Your support can be the lifeline that turns struggle into strength. By providing a scholarship, you don’t just cover school fees—you provide stability, community, and the chance for a child to build a future even after profound loss. You can help ensure that no child has to face their darkest moments alone.
