Here is a first hand account of the condition of students as witnessed during the field trip in 2011 by our team member Phong Le. “Students belonging to the indigenous communities in central Vietnam are plagued by an endless cycle of poverty and hunger. Families subsist on farming and foraging, tend to have more than 5 kids and parents are unable to spend enough to keep the children in school continuously through the school years. Many families also face harder circumstances like failed crops, or a single parent raising 6 – 7 kids or having to prioritize food over school fees. For an entire village of a few hundred people in each indigenous community, hardly one or two students go on to complete post secondary education.” At One More Step, we strongly believe that education has the power to lift children from the vicious cycle of hunger and poverty, and shape them into empowered leaders of the future who can serve their entire communities. Scholarships given to selected students who have the willingness to study but are faced with challenging circumstances will greatly improve the chances of them completing school and benefitting their own communities in the future.
Selection Criteria:
The students are handpicked from a pool of applicants, and one of our team members in Vietnam visits their family home to ascertain the facts and circumstances in the application. Due to the small budget we operate in, we are currently only helping post-secondary students who are aspiring to become teachers, nurses or doctors. Our research also shows a high likelihood of these indigenous students returning to their native communities to serve.
Here are the scholarship recipients of the 2018-2019 school year
Bhling Phước
Phuoc comes from a very poor family. His dad passed away when he was still a young child, leaving his mom to raise 3 kids on her own. With only a small parcel of land, enough to grow only 5 bags of rice each year, his mom has to work as a labourer to supplement their income. The many years of physical labour has left his mom with severe arthritis, and no longer able to work. He feels fortunate to be able to stay in school to pursue a better life for his family, while his siblings are working as labourers to support the family. Even with a part time job he struggles to pay for his school and living expenses.
Phuoc describes the people from his village as very kind, always help those in need, and have a strong sense of community.
Phuoc says he loves to help his friends, learns from people, and works hard in school. He also enjoys playing volleyball, reading, and participating in student clubs. He’d like to come back to his village to help improve their situation, and to help young kids who are in similar situations. To the younger generation, Phuoc advises them to work hard and never give up for a brighter future.
Science
Quảng Nam
In Good Standing
Hồ Thị Hồng
Hong’s family’s small parcel of farmland is barely enough to provide the family with food. Due to the changing climate, her farm has experienced a lot of flooding, compounding harvest issues. To supplement their income, her mom works as a labourer. Her father is sick, and cannot do physical labour.
Hong says the people of her village is kind and generous. They would help each other in any situation, especially in the most difficult times, regardless of how much they have.
Hong describes herself has friendly, a people person, and proactive. She likes to read, volunteer, and play sports. Her dream is to fix up her family home, and to help brother get to university. Her advice to the younger generation is to work hard in school, in the face of hardship and challenges, you won’t regret it.
Language
Quảng Nam
2018-2019
In Good Standing
Nguyễn Thị Thủy
Thuy’s from a poor farming family. Her dad is visually impaired, leaving mom to work the fields on her own. Given the family situation, it’s incredible that both her and her younger sister are still attending school.
Thuy says she’s hardworking and friendly. She loves to participate in her school’s drama club. After graduation, she’d like to quickly secure a job to help out her mom, and to help teach kids in her village. She describes the people of her village as kind and friendly. Her advice to young kids is to study hard, and do not get married early!
Primary school teacher
Q.Nam
2018-2019
In Good Standing
K Lực
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has three other children, two are still in school.
Traditional Medicine
Lam Dong
2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
H vinh H Rách
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has four other children, they are still in school.
Nursing
Phu Yen
2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
K pá h Quyên
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has four other children, all are still in school.
Nursing
Phu Yen
2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
K pá thị Hương
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has two other children.
Nursing
Phu Yen
2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
Ma Cẩm
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from fishing. The family has three other children.
Nursing
Phu Yen
2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
Đặng t Mỹ Xương
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. Father passed away. The family has five other children, one is still in school.
Primary School Education
Ninh Thuan
2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
Rơ Chăm H’Plih
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has two other children, one is still in school.
Primary School Education
Gia Lai
2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
2018
Hờ thị Úp
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has three other children, one is still in school.
Primary School Education
Phu Yen
2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
Ya Thị Na
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The student has seven other siblings, three of them still in school.
Nursing
Ninh Thuan
2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
Mang Thị Lài
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The student has three other siblings.
Medical Doctor
Phu Yen
2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
Đinh Hinh
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. No other siblings.
Medical Assistant
Quang Ngai
2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
Hồ Thị Chung
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has two children, both are still in school.
Pharmacy
Quang Ngai
2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
Nay H Vinh
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has two children, both are still in school.
Nursing
Quang Nam
2016-2017, 2017-2018
Graduated
2018
Nguyễn Tấn Tài
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has five children.
Nursing
Quang Nam
2016-2017, 2017-2018
Graduated
2018
A Lăng Níu
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has four children, one is still in school.
Physics
Quang Nam
2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
Hồ Thị Nhỏ
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has seven children, three children are still in school.
Social Work
Quang Nam
2017-2018, 2018-2019
In Good Standing
Hoàng Văn Mạnh
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The father has passed away. The family has two children.
Pharmacy
Gia Lai
2016-2017, 2017-2018
Graduated
2018
A Ting Thị Cấy
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has five children, three are in school.
Pre School Education
Quang Nam
2016-2017, 2017-2018
Graduated
2018
Hồ Thị Hoài
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has five children.
Primary School Education
Quang Nam
2016-2017, 2017-2018
Graduated
2018
Hồ Thị Thanh Biếc
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has two children.
Nursing
Quang Nam
2016-2017, 2017-2018
Graduated
2018
Bnướch Thị Apum
Student comes from a low-income family. The family’s main source of income is from farming. The family has six other children.
