In the heart of Vietnam, amidst the mud-covered fields and relentless toil of daily life, lives a remarkable young girl named Thao. Her life story is nothing short of inspiring, as she is on a mission to provide education and hope to underprivileged children in her community.
Thao’s journey began with an act of kindness from her grandmother, Ms. Cho. When Thao was born with physical disabilities, some advised Ms. Cho to abandon the child, considering the challenges that lay ahead. However, Ms. Cho saw the humanity in her grandchild and couldn’t bear to leave her behind. She made the courageous decision to bring Thao home and adopt her.
Life has never been easy for this family. Throughout the year, their feet are caked in mud as they work tirelessly as hired laborers to make ends meet. Yet, despite the hardships, Ms. Cho and her husband, Mr. Tran Van Nho, remained committed to caring for their beloved granddaughter.
Thao’s indomitable spirit emerged at an early age. At just 10 months old, tragedy struck when her father tragically passed away in an accident while visiting his family in Nha Trang. This left Thao’s mother with the weight of responsibility squarely on her shoulders, supported by her hunchbacked grandparents.
The family’s financial situation and lack of land for cultivation forced Thao’s mother to make a difficult decision. She had to send Thao to be raised by adoptive parents while she sought employment in Binh Duong to earn a meager income to support her children back home.
Back with her grandparents, Thao displayed remarkable obedience and independence. While she had eight teeth by the age of 5 months, it wasn’t until she turned 2 years old that she began to speak. Ms. Cho fondly recalls the moment when Thao started babbling and calling her grandparents, marking the beginning of her ability to communicate. Since then, Thao has become talkative and greets guests at their home, showing her bright personality.
Thao’s grandmother even made her a small broom because she loved sweeping their home. According to Ms. Cho, Thao’s unwavering determination shines through when she’s sick. Some suggested taking her to a center for children with disabilities, but Ms. Cho, who lives in a remote area, preferred to care for her granddaughter at home. Thao herself firmly expressed her desire not to be given away to others and even pledged to work and support her grandmother if she ever had hands in the future.
Thao’s infectious enthusiasm for learning became evident as she grew older. Her grandparents had been her pillars of support, helping her in all her activities. However, as she got older, Thao preferred to be independent and not trouble others. Despite her physical challenges, she took pride in studying and writing.
Thao’s school journey began when she entered first grade, where she was accompanied by her grandmother to ensure her safety. Eventually, Thao learned to study on her own. Her incredible progress and love for learning captured the attention of Ms. Ly Thi Thanh Thuy, who volunteered to teach her.
Today, Thao is a third-grade student at An Thanh 2B Primary School. Despite her disability, she exhibits remarkable academic performance, often achieving top grades. She’s a tenacious learner who uses her shoulders and a protruding part of her shoulder to write and draw. When doing math, she positions a calculator on the table and uses her “hand” to operate it, just like her classmates.
Le Hoang Vinh, the principal of An Thanh 2B Primary School, commends Thao for her extraordinary energy and determination. Thao’s zest for learning is truly remarkable, and she has proven that with determination and support, one can overcome any obstacle.
Thao’s story exemplifies resilience, determination, and the power of education. Her dreams extend beyond herself as she aspires to become a doctor in the future, aiming to care for her grandmother’s health and save lives. Thao, the spirited “penguin” girl, is an inspiration to us all, reminding us that no obstacle is insurmountable when one has the courage to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
