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Todays note is all about transformation. When I stop and realize what a heart surgery can mean to a child and parents. Honestly I wonder what would I do if I had a child in need of a lifesaving heart surgery and didn't have the means to pay, what would I do... Please read todays note from one of our gibtk students. Now living in the Lighthouse, attending university. As always if you feel led to write a note of encouragement I will forward it to Vien.
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| Vien and her mother after learning that gibtk will fund her heart surgery. The eyes tell the story, hope and fear |
Hello,
Let me introduce about myself. I'm Doan Thi Thanh Vien. I'm 19 years old. Currently, I'm the first year student in Danang University of Education specialized in preschool. I was born in a poor family in the mountainous district. Moreover, I had heart disease which is difficult to cure and cost much money.
I found out that I was sick when I went to grade 6. Life of my family became more difficult than before. At this time, I saw that everything were black. My parents were always worried about earning money to treat me. The sad face of my father and the tears of mother made me had stupid thoughts like "if I wasn't born, my parents wouldn't be so hard."
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| Vien after successful heart surgery |
In 6th grade, I was lucky enough to pass the entrance exam to boarding school. Before the day entering school, I and my mother prepared a lot of things. My parents even had to sell the cow that my grandfather left for my parents to have money for me to go to school. But people said that I was allowed to study at there just because I was in pain, which made me really sad. At the time when I was in secondary school, I usually fainted in gymnastic lessons, so my parents must go to school to take care of me. Although the distance from my house to school is quite far, my parents still go at night to visit me.
In addition, some of my friends laughed in my face because I had a heart attack, which made my mother was more worried about me. It's really pitiful. I just think it is a disease and why my friends don't play with me.
By the time I was in grade 7, I was given a free cardiac examination organized by Hoan My hospital. The doctor said that the family had prepared money to pay for surgery. That night, my parents did not sleep because they thought how to have more money to treat me and they knew that I was being hurt, but they didn't get enough money. In spite of making effort, there is no other way they ignored my surgery. In one day, suddenly there was a call to tell me to go to Da Nang city to help me about my disease. My family was both happy and worried, but we still decided to go.
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| Now Vien plays all sports without fear |
When my mother and I went to Da Nang, we stayed in Hoan My hospital. After that, I was taken to an organization called "Giving it back to kids". We were so surprised because of not understanding what we had come here for. But I was really happy when meeting Robert Kalatschan father and Ms. Kathie, who are sponsors for my surgery. During my treatment, I was taken care of carefully by the sisters of the organization. When I finished surgery, I said goodbye to everyone and came back Binh Dinh to continue my study. Since I had finished the surgery, I didn't feel tired or uncomfortable and my parents were also happy because they saw that I was healthy. All the worries disappeared.
In the summer of 10th grade, the organization give me learn at Carmela's house. Although I was there in 3 summer months, I felt love from everyone. Three months is not too long time, but it is enough for me to learn the wonderful things from the organization. After the school holidays, I returned to my school. I'm not an excellent student, but I have had many motivations to learn more hard-working and had tried my best to achieve good results for my parents, everyone and myself since this summer.
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| Vien with girls from The Lighthouse, our college home for girls |
Now I'm a member of Lighthouse and I'm also a member of the organization "Giving it back to kids". When I first entered, I was really homesick but everyone loves and cares of me as a family. I find myself very lucky to be a member of the organization. I realize I am so lucky to know about Giving It Back To Kids and stay at Lighthouse where I have a safe environment to grow healthy, I go to school like other girls and I feel deeper the love of all the older sisters, staff friends when I live here. Thank you for making my life changing. Every time I visit my hometown and see bright smile of my parents, I'm really happy. I'm really grateful to the organization for giving me the same as today. Now I can build a bright future for me and my family. It is true that life does not give anyone anything because the good things and lucky hiding in challenges and opportunities, so you must try your best to find and overcome.
Doan Thi Thanh Vien
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