|
Today's note was written by Nguyen Thi Luong, a member of Lighthouse who graduated and has worked as a kindergarten teacher.
First of all, allowing me to say hello to Father Robert, mother Linda, Ms Tam and the Board of Directors and all of the staff in Giving It Back to Kids. Maybe everyone has already known me, but I still want to introduce a little bit about myself to you. My name is Luong, I am 24 years old and I used to live in LightHouse within 4 years. Currently, I have just graduated from Danang University of Science and Education with a major in Preschool teacher. And now, I have taught at GreenHouse Kindergarten.
While writing this letter, I realized it is also the time that I am mature enough, strong enough and have enough background in education to have a foundation for my life, to be able to step firmly on the future path without companionship, help, and cover from GIBTK.
(Luong graduated college)
To have my current life like now, I cannot forget what I was like four years ago. The day that I was officially accepted to live in LightHouse and the four years I lived here has been a memorable time. Please allow me to share with you. Before being accepted into this home, I was a female sophomore with a major in Social work. I had a difficult time caring for myself from study to living expenses for two years at University. When I decided to go to Danang to study at University, everyone said: "Your family is very poor, your mother can't work, where is the money for you to go to school?" Not only outsiders, but also relatives in my family, both aunts and uncles, said: "What are you thinking? If you go to school, we won't be able to help, or you should learn sewing to earn money to support you and your mom." When I heard such discouraging words, I was down in the dumps, but I am still steadfast in one thing: "I can do it, I will do it while studying."
(Luong -first one to the right with Lighthouse girls)
Then the day of the beginning of term had come, I calmly picked up my belongings and took the bus to Da Nang to find a hostel, but I had to find a room which I could pair together to save money. On the second day, I looked for a part-time job, because for me at that time, I must have money to pay tuition, rent room, meals and send it to my mother. Through the tutoring center, I received a tutoring program. At that time, I just came to Danang, so I didn't know the way around and they gave me one class very far from the boarding room. But for my fee, I had to cycle 15km to go to teach. I cannot forget the rainy days until 9:00 pm when I had to cycle back home, and the water was flooded, and I shed tears a lot. Fortunately, my room owner introduced me to a group of 3 students near the house to teach without paying the center fee. Early in the morning, I got up at 4:30 am to work at a breakfast shop selling Quang noodles until 7:00 am and then went to school. When I didn't have to study much in the afternoon, I would go back to the kitchen assistant shop to work. Each hour, I got nearly $1 and they gave me one bowl of noodles to eat.
(Luong teaching kids at kindergarten)
I also handed out flyers at the school gates when someone asked me to do it. My life turned between studying and working at that time. As time went by, I took care of everything myself until the beginning of the second year, I became worried because I had to study more and focus on my major. My free time would be much less. I wondered if I could graduate. At the time when I was most difficult, fortune smiled at me when I was introduced to Mr. Bao by the homeroom teacher. It was also a great luck for me. Then I was accepted by GIBTK and became a member of the Light house. In the days when I came to live in a home, I always thought this was not a place to nurture orphans with difficult circumstances, but this was a family. Only living at home can everything be taken care of so completely. We are well cared for from eating, to studying, to the small details, to the personal items, the most private things that should have been bought by ourselves. When I was young or even older, my mother was in pain at home, so I never bought new things even on Tet time. All my clothes were all second-hand. On my birthday, I never dare to think it could be celebrated or received gifts or blow birthday candles. And living at Lighthouse, I experienced everything. Then my health was also taken good care of. Before living at Lighthouse, I just went to the hospital when I was too sick and couldn't stand any more. There are no words that can describe my emotions, how lucky I am to receive love and care from father Robert, mother Linda, Ms. Tam and the GIBTK's staff, the housemother and sisters at LightHouse.
(Luong in a leadership training)
Living in the home for four years, I am so much motivated by chi Lanh, chi Nam, chi Huong, chi Thoa. They helped me to bring and replace negative thoughts with positive energies, have a strong belief and hope for a better life, to be confident. And especially helping me make a decision for changing my major. It was a very important decision that I had been thinking about and wondering for over 2 months. In the end, it is the right choice for me to switch from social work major to preschool major. Since I have studied preschool major, I can be myself, I know what my life goals are and what I need to do. I have found my passion and enthusiasm at work. At Lighthouse, I am not only taken care of but also learn and equipped with English, Emotional Health, life skills, leadership skills and many things I received from GIBTK, allowing me to be kept in heart. Because the things I get are so vast, it's more than amazing.
(Luong teaching kids at kindergarten)
I would like to express my sincere thanks to father Robert, mother Linda, the donors in America, Mrs. Tam and all the staff at GIBTK for transforming my life. For me, apart from the thank you, the biggest response from me to GIBTK is "live well, do well, always love and help everyone".At the end of the letter, I wish father Robert, mother Linda, the board members, the donors, Mrs. Tam and the GIBTK's staff a good health and success.
With Love,
Nguyen Thi Luong.
|
