FAMILY REUNION FOR ETHNIC STUDENTS IN VIET NAM

HELLO EVERYONE

Nobody wants to be far away from their family during the Christmas and New Year period.

Similarly, the Vietnamese feel the same about the Tet holiday period (the Lunar new year).

I’m so sad that my young students from Sapa, Tung (18), Say (18), Gaing (18), Ca (18), and Ky (24), are unable to be reunited with their families this year.

I’m an English teacher in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), in the South of Viet Nam. 1 year ago I volunteered as an English teacher in Sapa, the countryside of North Viet Nam, which is approximately 1400 km from Ho Chi Minh City. When I finished my volunteer work, some of my students wanted to continue learning English in order to change their lives; they broke down in tears while telling me this and asked if they could go back to Ho Chi Minh City with me.

My first reaction was of fear. I was afraid of the responsibility of what they were asking me to do. A young woman of only 25 years of age, supporting my own family while trying to build a life was enough of a struggle. Now, I was faced with an even bigger challenge of trying to house, feed, teach, and parent 5 young students from Sapa. They were desperate to learn English to have the chance of a better future. After much contemplation, my strong belief in karma gave me the motivation to take them back with me to HCMC. 1 year later, these 5 ethnic students are still living and growing with me.

I’m now focused on training them how to become teachers, tour guides, or receptionists, so that one day they can realise their dream, that someday they can return home and help the prospects of their village.

With my buget, I had planned for my Sapa students to experience the Tet holiday with me in the South. The cost of transportation for 5 people from one end of the country to the other, is unreachable for me, especially during Tet holiday. So I can only try to give them the best Tet holiday I can with me. When I told them that I couldn’t afford to send them on a round trip to Sapa and back for Tet, I was so sad to see their eyes, I know how much they are missing their family after 6 months so far away from home. I know their family members in Sapa are missing them also, wondering how they are dealing with life in such a large city, nothing like home in the countryside. But they are still happy to plan Tet holiday with me here because they don’t want to be a financial burden on me. We have grown close and have overcome many adversities, surviving in city together. They think of me a lot so this is the reason why in my bottom heart, I want surprise them for the Tet holidays.

I would like to bring them joy and see the moment of them surprised, holding flight tickets and gifts for their family for Tet!

I estimate the amount of money they need is about $2400 (USD) for 5 return flight tickets and some modest gifts for their family members.

I write our story in hope of seeking sponsors who can find it in their hearts to join me to help Tung, Say, Gaing, Ca, and Ky fulfill their dreams and give them the best suprised moment in their lives.

The money raised by you will publicly support them for their transportation, presents, and development, and if we raise any extra money, I would love to bring more ethnic students to the South and give them the best education I can, to help change their lives.

With strong desire, I could change my life from accountant to English teacher in just 1 year. Through the skills I have learnt about GOGETFUNDING.COM and am able to sit here now, and write you my story. In the modern day, English brings the world together and helps us support each other without borders. I sincerely hope that more and more children in my country can do the same as me, connect with the world, and change their lives.

Thanks for reading and supporting us. I have attached some pictures of Tung, Say, Gaing, Ca, and Ky, before and after they began their journey with me.