When my mom suffered a stroke in 2023, it shook our family to the core. She had always been the one holding everything together. But after the stroke, her health declined. She could no longer work as a tailor and instead began selling hatched eggs in the evenings and sugarcane juice during the summer just to get by. My dad, a bricklayer, also struggles with unstable income and poor health. With three children to care for, my parents did everything they could—but it was hard. I often wondered, with a heavy heart: Would I be able to keep up with my studies and still chase my dreams?
Then, in February 2023, everything changed. I was selected as a Bright Scholar—a turning point in my life. The scholarship lifted a huge financial burden from my family, allowing me to concentrate on school instead of worrying about how we would afford tuition. But the support didn’t stop there. It helped me find something I didn’t even know I needed: community.
Through Children of Vietnam, I met other Bright Scholars—young people just like me, facing their own challenges and fighting for their dreams. At first, it felt strange to be surrounded by people who understood my journey. I had felt alone for so long. But suddenly, I wasn’t. We shared our stories, our struggles, and our victories. At a summer camp, I got to know them better and built friendships that continue to inspire me. That’s when I realized—I wasn’t just receiving support. I was becoming part of something much bigger.
COV also helped me grow in ways I never expected. Workshops in leadership and time management gave me tools that I now can’t imagine living without. I learned to organize my time, set goals, and stay motivated. I also received the study materials I needed, ensuring I had the resources to succeed.
Now in my third year at the University of Foreign Language Studies, I’m pursuing my dream of becoming an interpreter. COV’s support gave me the strength to face hard times, and today, I feel confident in my ability to reach the future I once only imagined.
Life at home is still challenging. My younger sister is preparing for her university entrance exams, and my little brother—only five—has a long road ahead. But my parents continue to encourage me, even through the financial strain. With their belief in me—and with the unwavering support from Children of Vietnam—I now believe in myself, too.
I hope to become a role model for my siblings. And one day, I want to be a source of hope for others, just as COV has been for me.