I was born and raised in Que Son, near Danang City. This is a rural area that still has many problems. There are seven members in my family including my grandmother, my parents, two younger sisters, one younger brother and me. As the eldest child in a large family, I have always been aware of my responsibility towards my parents and siblings. My grandmother is elderly and in poor health. She underwent heart surgery in 2020 since then she has had to return for monthly check-ups and take regular medication. My father once suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis and his health has declined significantly. He now mainly does labouring work cutting acacia trees when the weather permits, a physically demanding job with an unstable income. He also cultivates a small family plot, but the productivity depends entirely on the weather as some seasons yield enough to live on, while others fall short. My mother works as a helper at weddings and parties, assists with construction work and also grows crops and raises livestock on a small piece of land beside our house. However, her work is unstable and during months with no weddings or construction projects, her income is very low. Recently, our family suffered severe losses due to the African swine fever outbreak which drastically reduced our herd of pigs, leaving us with almost no income from livestock. Because my mother often lifts heavy loads, she has developed chronic shoulder and neck pain and her health has gradually weakened.

In addition to caring for my grandmother and covering daily living expenses, my parents also have to support the education of their four children. The older sister is currently in her second year studying Nursing at the same university as me, so we share a rented room in Danang. My youngest sister and brother are still in primary school in our hometown, one in Year 4 and the other in Year 2. The costs of education, accommodation and living expenses for the whole family have become a heavy burden, forcing my parents to borrow money from the Social Policy Bank and relatives to pay for medical fees, tuition and daily necessities. Given these circumstances, I realise that I must be independent and make greater efforts. Besides my studies, I work as a private tutor to earn additional income to cover my personal expenses and help reduce my parents’ financial burden. I know that every amount my family sends me comes from their sweat and hard work, so I always strive to study diligently to live up to their expectations.

My motivation to pursue Medicine comes from my own family situation. When my grandmother had to undergo heart surgery in 2020, I was in Year 11 and stayed in the hospital to take care of her. At that time, I witnessed firsthand the tireless yet deeply compassionate work of doctors and nurses. I profoundly understood the noble calling of the medical profession and felt the desire to contribute to help treat my grandmother, my parents and many others. The image of doctors attentively caring for patients, and of patients recovering after treatment, inspired in me the dream of becoming a skilled and kind-hearted doctor. The hardships my family endure have become the driving force to help me mature. I always strive to maintain good academic results, develop my skills and actively participate in social and volunteer activities, as well as student union and youth organization work. These experiences have helped me develop organizational, communication and teamwork skills while nurturing compassion, an essential quality for anyone pursuing Medicine. I study not only to achieve good grades but also to develop my skills and to prepare for my future career.

I was very fortunate to learn about the Lifestart Foundation Scholarship through my university. After the interview with Ms. Karen and the Lifestart Foundation’s team at the office in Hoi An, I felt deeply touched and grateful to be listened to and understood regarding my family circumstances and dreams. It was more than just an interview, it was an opportunity to share, to be understood and to receive encouragement. The warmth and sincerity of Karen and the team made me realize that there are people who truly care about students like us and wish to guide us, even though we still have many shortcomings. That interview gave me more motivation and faith, believing that my efforts are not in vain and that the path I have chosen is truly meaningful.

The moment my family and I received the news that I had been awarded the scholarship, we were all overwhelmed with emotion and happiness. My parents felt some of their daily burdens lifted and I saw a look of relief and joy on their faces after so many months of worry. My grandmother was also delighted, saying that this scholarship was a great comfort to the whole family. For me, the scholarship not only eases our financial difficulties but also serves as a tremendous source of encouragement and a recognition of my efforts to overcome hardship over the years. It strengthens my confidence and determination to continue on my educational path.

This scholarship truly holds profound meaning for me and my family. In terms of my studies, it is a valuable source of support that allows me to buy books and study materials and enroll in additional courses to improve my professional and language skills. It will enable me to focus more on my studies and prepare for important exams. In terms of daily life, it helps ease the burden of monthly living expenses, allowing my parents to better care for my younger sisters and brother. At the same time, your care and trust serves as a strong motivation for me to stay positive and keep striving on the path I have chosen. I believe that your investment in me today will contribute to nurturing a dedicated and competent doctor in the future, ready to serve the community.

Currently, I am maintaining good academic results while actively participating in volunteer activities, scientific research and language learning. This semester, I aim to sustain a GPA of around 3.7 out of a possible 4.0, which means I will have a solid foundation of knowledge in preparation for important upcoming exams.

I have begun reviewing subjects in preparation for the residency entrance exam which I plan to sit in Ho Chi Minh City in the future. I have obtained a B2 English Certificate which will exempt me from the foreign language section in the residency exam. I have also obtained a Basic IT Certificate and am studying for the IELTS Certificate and learning French to further enhance my knowledge. Having IT and language certificates is a great advantage when applying for practice licenses at big hospitals such as Cho Ray Hospital or Children’s Hospital 1. These qualifications are also essential for my future career. I hope that after graduation, I can become a skilled and compassionate doctor who returns to serve my hometown, the place where I have witnessed so many shortcomings in healthcare and medical services.

I promise to cherish and use this scholarship in the most meaningful way, seeing it as a source of motivation to study harder, participate in more training activities and develop my skills. I will do my utmost to achieve my goal of becoming a competent, kind-hearted doctor who contributes to my community and spreads the humanitarian values that the scholarship program represents. This will be a small way of expressing my profound gratitude for the support I have received.

Once again, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Lifestart Foundation and Karen for believing in me and granting me this precious opportunity. I wish Lifestart Foundation and Karen good health, happiness and continued success in implementing many more meaningful projects for the community so that the journey of sharing love may reach even further.

Kind regards,

Le Van Binh