'I will dream for you, mother'

Holding her mother’s portrait in her hand, Anh Thu said that her steps were more confident to receive the results of her efforts in 4 years of studying. According to Anh Thu, the graduation certificate is a gift and a promise kept to her mother: “I will dream for you”. On stage, when the lecturer asked who the person in the picture was, Anh Thu smiled and replied: “Mom, she died…”.

In 12th grade, Anh Thu's young heart was broken when she learned that her mother had cancer. Anh Thu said she was in so much pain that she couldn't cry, and her studies also declined. "At first, I couldn't accept the truth. When I went to school, my mind was always thinking about my mother. I was always worried that my mother's illness would get worse," Anh Thu shared.

Anh Thu's mother had to go to Hue City for chemotherapy, and at this time, only her father was there to take care of her. A few months later, when her mother's health had stabilized, Anh Thu was able to balance her life. Anh Thu's family was not well off, so when her mother fell ill, all the money was spent on treatment. Many people advised Anh Thu to finish grade 12 and then go to work or learn a trade to help her parents.

Anh Thu herself had to struggle a lot to make a decision for the future: “I really wanted to continue studying. Living in the countryside, seeing women growing up only knowing how to be housewives and sometimes being abused and looked down upon made me want to have a good position in society. But I also felt sorry for my mother, the family at that time really only had enough money to pay for medical treatment. Seeing me struggling, my mother encouraged me to go to university. My mother told me: If you choose this path, you must really try, make every effort, even if it is difficult, you must not give up.”

In her first year of university, Anh Thu's mother's illness became worse and the doctor sent her home. Anh Thu could never forget the moment her mother's breathing became weaker and then she died in her father's arms. That day, Anh Thu felt as if the sky had collapsed. No compensation could ease the pain that the 18-year-old girl had to endure. Anh Thu no longer had a mother in her life.

“Remembering the days after chemotherapy, when my mother was able to return home, she looked even more haggard. I learned to cook and made chicken noodle soup for her. That was the first time I cooked for her, she was very happy. I felt sorry for not being able to take care of her more. Now I have a job, can buy nice clothes, delicious food… but my mother is no longer here. There are very few pictures of me with her,” Anh Thu confided.

After her death, Anh Thu's mother left behind a sum of money covered by insurance, plus a scholarship, part-time work, and the support of her sister, which helped the student cover her tuition fees. After graduating, Anh Thu will stay at the school to work as a staff member to help students develop their personal skills.

Master Duong Khanh Vinh, Head of the Business Administration Department of Greenwich University Vietnam, commented: “Anh Thu is an active student in movement activities. In class, she has a very good relationship with her friends. Anh Thu always exudes a source of positive energy.”