Dear Karen and Lifestart Foundation,

My name is Huynh Tran Quang Nhat. I am currently a Year 9 student at Dinh Chau Secondary School and I live in Dien Ban Dong, Quang Nam (now Da Nang city).

First of all, on behalf of my family, I would like to send my respectful greetings, best wishes for good health and my deepest gratitude to all of you. I am writing this letter on a quiet evening after my self-study time, still filled with emotion and gratitude upon learning that I have officially become a part of the Lifestart Foundation family. To me, this is not simply financial support, but a miracle; a new door that has opened at a time when my family is facing some of our greatest challenges. Through this letter, I would like to sincerely thank you for awarding me this scholarship and at the same time, tell you more about my studies as well as my current family situation.

My family has six members: my father, my mother, myself and my three younger sisters. My father suffers from heart disease and high blood pressure so he is no longer able to continue his job as a driver. He now takes on occasional manual work and helps manage things at home. As a result, the financial burden falls mainly on my mother. Every day, she is busy from early morning, going to the market, preparing meals, taking us to school and then rushing to work where she does overtime until late at night before returning home to take care of the family. Witnessing her hardship and silent sacrifices, I constantly remind myself to study hard so that I can one day become a strong support for my family. My three younger sisters, who are in Year 7, Year 3 and kindergarten may sometimes be playful, but they are all well-behaved and very understanding.

With the modest income of a factory worker, my mother has to manage many expenses: monthly bank loan repayments, my father’s medical costs and the education of my three younger sisters. There have been nights when I lay awake, worried that one day I might have to give up my dream of continuing my education in order to help support my family. However, at one of the most difficult moments, the scholarship from Karen and Lifestart Foundation came as timely encouragement, helping my family relieve some of the heavy burden we have been carrying.

At secondary school, I have been entrusted by my teachers and classmates to take on the role of class monitor. This is not just a title but a journey of personal growth. In this position, I always remind myself to set a good example in both discipline and academic performance. I often stay after class to support my classmates who struggle with their studies especially Maths, which is my greatest passion.

Last semester, I worked hard to achieve a GPA of 9.1 out of a possible 10 and ranked among the top students in my class. Maths is the subject I am the best at and I have a deep passion for numbers and geometry. To me, Maths is not dry but a world full of logic and creativity. I enjoy the challenge of solving difficult geometry problems and finding shorter, more efficient solutions to advanced algebra questions. Currently, I am attending advanced classes for gifted students and spend around four hours each day on self-study.

At school, I always strive to achieve good results, maintain respectful behaviour and set a positive example, which has earned the trust of my teachers. At the same time, I support my classmates academically and treat everyone fairly and as a result I have built strong friendships. I also actively organise and participate in class and school activities to create a united and dynamic learning environment.

Regarding extra classes, I am currently taking lessons in Maths, English, Chemistry, Physics and Literature, all held at my teachers’ homes.

I have recently completed my mid-term exams for the second semester with encouraging results: 10 in Maths, 9 in Literature and 9.5 in Natural Science. However, I understand that I must not become complacent.

In the afternoons, if I do not have school or extra classes I spend about three to four hours studying. I usually divide my time into 45 minutes reviewing theory and completing homework, two hours focusing on advanced problem-solving by topic and another 45 minutes reading advanced materials, exploring new knowledge. In the past, I had to spend more time helping with household chores in the afternoons, but after receiving advice from Karen during the interview and with support from my family, my responsibilities at home have been reduced. This has allowed me time to focus in more depth on advanced Maths topics. In the evenings, I help my younger sisters with their studies so that my mother can work overtime with peace of mind. After that, I immerse myself in specialised exam papers. The quiet of the night helps me think more clearly when solving difficult problems.

In my free time, I often solve advanced Maths problems, study English, read detective books, play chess, practise Rubik’s Cube, organise my study space, help my mother with cooking and plan my study schedule.

I still clearly remember my scholarship interview. That was the first time I had been able to share my dreams and struggles so honestly. When I received the news that I had been awarded the scholarship, my whole family was overwhelmed with happiness. With this support, I am now able to buy advanced Maths books that I had previously only been able to look at in bookstores. This scholarship has truly changed my life, it has given me the opportunity to continue dreaming and has also become an example for my younger sisters to follow.

My dream is to become a Maths teacher in the future. I hope to stand in the classroom and share the knowledge that I have worked so hard to gain with future generations of students. More importantly, I want to use my own story of a student from a difficult background who has been supported by kind-hearted people like Karen and Lifestart Foundation, to inspire other students to believe in themselves and keep striving.

I promise that I will use this scholarship carefully and effectively. I will continue to uphold my responsibilities as a class monitor and strive to be an outstanding student and devoted daughter to my family.

Finally, once again, I would like to sincerely wish Karen and all members of Lifestart Foundation good health, happiness and continued success in your meaningful work. I hope that Lifestart Foundation will continue to grow and support many more students facing difficulties like me. Thank you very much!

Yours sincerely,

Huynh Tran Quang Nhat