Dear Ms. Karen and the Lifestart Foundation team,
My name is Tran Thi Kieu Nhi, a fourth-year student majoring in General Medicine at Danang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy. Through this letter, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Karen and the Lifestart Foundation for awarding me this precious scholarship.
I was born and raised in a small fishing village in Quang Binh, where people’s lives are closely tied to the sea, fishing and the harsh sun and winds of Central Vietnam. My family is no different. Our main source of income came from my father’s fishing and from the few pigs and chickens my mother raises. In addition, my father worked as a welder, while my mother brewed rice wine and, during the summer, joined my father fishing to earn extra income. Although life has always been difficult and our income unstable, my parents have done everything they could to ensure all three of us children could continue our education.
About four years ago, my father had a serious accident while welding. He had to undergo treatment for four long months, completely bedridden. During that time, my mother not only worked tirelessly to care for him but also had to shoulder all the responsibilities at home. When this happened, my younger brother was about to start Year 10, and I was preparing for my university entrance exams. All the financial burden fell entirely on my mother’s shoulders. Many people around us advised me to finish Year 12 and start working to help the family, but my mother never once considered asking me to quit school. She even borrowed money to buy me a laptop for my studies. At that time, my desire to continue my education was immense. When I received confirmation that I had been accepted into university, I was so happy that I cried. During that time, I put all my effort into studying. Because of our difficult circumstances, I didn’t ask my mother for money but instead skipped breakfast to save enough for online courses and books. In the end, I was accepted into the major I had always dreamed of. It was a challenging journey, but it stands as a clear reflection of my perseverance and above all, of my parents’ boundless love and sacrifice.
Although my father’s leg remained weak after treatment, he tried to continue doing construction work. This was necessary due to our difficult financial situation and the debts we had incurred for his medical care. Just as we thought the storms had passed, in the summer of 2023 my family faced an unimaginable loss. While welding, my father was electrocuted and passed away suddenly. Just a few days before that, I had been in a traffic accident and was still receiving treatment in hospital. The shock of losing him almost broke me completely. With the loss of the family breadwinner, we were left struggling in both grief and debt. My father’s passing left my mother alone to raise three children who were all still in school.
My younger brother has just finished Year 12, and my little sister is now in Year 5. My mother, who has already endured so much hardship, has spent the past few years doing her best to fill the role of both mother and father, while still carrying a heavy bank debt with no clear end in sight.
My mother suffers from poor health, which makes it difficult for her to do physically demanding work. Yet, because she worries about being able to afford school fees and general living expenses, she only takes her medicine occasionally and never receives proper medical treatment. Her work throughout the year mainly revolves around raising pigs, doing short fishing trips in summer and brewing rice wine or selling fruit during the Lunar New Year period. In the freezing winter days before Lunar New Year, wearing only a thin jacket, she gets up at 4 a.m. to make it to the early market. Once when I went with her, I truly experienced how hard she works to earn every bit of money to feed and support us. Despite all the hardship, she has never once asked me to quit school. Mum always sacrifices her own comfort so that we, her three children, can have the best possible future. I know I must not let her down, so I always remind myself to study hard so that one day I can share the burden she has carried for so long.
I chose Medicine not only out of personal interest but also because of the painful experiences my own family has gone through. Having witnessed my father’s passing due to the lack of timely treatment and seeing my mother endure illness without proper care, I deeply understand that health is the most precious gift one can have. There were moments when I saw Mum suffering in pain and wished I could heal her right then and there. That desire became my greatest motivation to pursue this path, even though I knew how challenging it would be.
The cost of studying Medicine is high, in addition to which the rising living expenses in the city creates constant financial pressure and I’ve taken on many part-time jobs to help my family. After finishing my high school graduation exam, I went to Ho Chi Minh City and worked at a small eatery for two months to save money for university. In my first year, I worked as a waitress in a café and later at a restaurant on weekends. After my father’s passing, I also worked as a private tutor to help my mother financially. There were times when studying and working at the same time made me exhausted, but just thinking of Mum gave me the strength to keep going. However, with my current busy schedule filled with classes and hospital internships, I can no longer manage part-time work, so I’ve stopped to fully focus on my studies.
At the moment, all my tuition and living costs are covered by my mother. Although life and study can be tiring at times, every time I think of Mum’s great sacrifice I find new motivation to keep going.
I learned about the Lifestart Foundation through my university. I was lucky to pass the application round and had an interview with Ms. Karen and the team. During the interview, I had the chance to share more about my family’s difficulties, my study plans and my future career goals. Ms. Karen and everyone at the Foundation was so kind and supportive. I felt truly happy and grateful to have the opportunity to meet and speak with such compassionate people.
When I received the news that I was one of the scholarship recipients, my family and I were overjoyed and deeply thankful. This scholarship is not only financial support but also a tremendous source of encouragement for me. Thanks to it, my path towards becoming a doctor has become much smoother both for myself and my family. Moreover, it eases my mother’s financial burden amid rising tuition fees, allowing her to reduce her debts and better provide for my younger sister. It also allows me to focus more on my studies and career development without the constant worry that financial hardship brings. It also alleviates the need for me to take on part-time jobs. More than ever, I feel that my future looks brighter thanks to this scholarship.
I understand that Lifestart Foundation has been helping many disadvantaged students across Vietnam, giving them the chance to pursue education and transform their futures. I feel deeply grateful and honoured to be one of the recipients of this meaningful scholarship. It means not only a great deal to me but also to my family and to the future of young people in Vietnam.
Currently, I am in the first semester of my fourth year. I am focusing on strengthening my theory knowledge while making the most of my clinical practice time to learn from patients, doctors and senior students. I’ve completed most of my theory and practice sessions at university and am preparing for my final Obstetrics exam before starting my Paediatrics clinical placement. This semester and in subsequent ones, I make sure I maintain a daily self-study routine to improve my academic results. I also spend about 30 minutes each day learning English and actively participate in knowledge-sharing sessions, academic clubs and extracurricular activities to build my communication and teamwork skills.
After graduation, I plan to complete a 12-month internship and take the national medical licensing exam before pursuing a specialist degree. At the moment, I’m particularly interested in Paediatrics. I know that being a doctor requires precision, and a lifelong commitment to learning. My dream is to one day be able to care for my mother and family, the people who sacrificed everything so that I could pursue my education and achieve my dream. Beyond that, I hope to use my knowledge and compassion to serve the community. I understand that not everyone has access to quality healthcare, especially those from low-income backgrounds and I want to do what I can to ease their pain and struggles.
I know the road ahead will be full of challenges, with long hours of study, countless hospital shifts and moments facing patients’ pain and loss. But I believe that my determination, the lessons I’ve learnt from my family’s hardships, my mother’s resilience and now the support from Lifestart Foundation will give me the strength to keep going. To me, becoming a doctor is not just a career, it’s a way to turn the love I have for my mother, my family and others into meaningful action.
My family and I would like to express our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to Ms. Karen and Lifestart Foundation for granting me such a valuable and meaningful scholarship. I will continue to study hard, overcome challenges and use my knowledge in the future to care for the health of others, especially those in disadvantaged communities, with the same compassion and spirit that the Lifestart Foundation has given to us.
Wishing good health to Ms. Karen and everyone at the Foundation. May Lifestart Foundation continue to grow and spread its positive impact throughout the community.
With heartfelt thanks,
Tran Thi Kieu Nhi