Seasonal worker’s attempts to enter university

Lo Van Lam is a Thai boy, born and raised in Xuan Chinh Commune, Thuong Xuan Mountain District (Thanh Hoa). Lam’s figure is slim, but her eyes show strength and energy even at the age of 18.

On the day we spoke, the new student had just completed his second week of studies at the University of Economics and Law (Ho Chi Minh City National University). Continuing to study was a process of great effort for Lam, because from the moment he was born, he lacked warmth and care from his father.

I didn’t have beautiful clothes in my childhood

Since childhood, Lam and his younger brother were unable to live with their mother due to the lack of their father’s affection. Because life in the rural areas was difficult, Lam’s mother – Mrs. Lo Thi Thoa (38 years old) – was forced to pack her bags and move to Binh Duong to work as a laborer.

“My grandmother has taken care and raised me since I was a child. Although my mother still sends money home to take care of my two brothers’ education, the employee’s salary is very low, so the support It’s not regular. Every time it happens, my grandmother manages to borrow money so that the two brothers can go to school,” Lam said.

Without parental affection, childhood gradually becomes accustomed to it. Only hunger and poverty are what the Thai student always remembers. During her elementary school days, Lam did not have clean clothes to go to class.

“The pants I wear to school every day are criss-crossed with needle and thread,” Lam shared.

Taking a liking to her grandmother’s hardships, after completing primary school at the village school, Lam decided to enroll at Juan Chinh Secondary Boarding School for ethnic minorities. Attending a boarding school helps Lam defray the costs of education. Through her efforts, Lam was also selected to join the district-level outstanding student competition team several times, and won the consolation prize in 7th grade literature.

Entering high school, even though studies were more difficult, Lam still maintained his achievements as he was a good and excellent student for many years in a row. Lam also won the second prize in Civic Education in the Provincial Excellent Student Examination in Grade 12.

While taking the high school graduation exam in 2023, Lam was encouraged by her mother to move from Binh Duong to Thanh Hoa Provincial Ethnic Boarding High School. At that moment, Lam was so happy that he almost cried, because it was a rare occasion when his mother supported him after 12 years of diligent journey in search of knowledge.

Please become an activist to continue writing your dream

After completing her high school graduation exams, Lam took a bus from Thanh Hoa city back to her hometown to help her grandmother weed and take care of the newly planted rice fields. After everything was over, Lam went to Binh Duong to apply for a job as a seasonal worker to get money to cover her university education expenses.

On the day of the interview, the poor man from Thanh was asked the question: “Can you stay up all night? Can you stand for 12 hours straight?” Although somewhat worried, thinking about her goals and dreams, Lam quickly nodded and was accepted as a worker.

On the first day of being “transformed” into a reluctant worker, Lam couldn’t help but feel numb. Because for this work one not only has to stay awake the whole night but also has to stand continuously for 12 hours.

“For the first few days I was not used to it, my eyes were strained due to lack of sleep. My legs became numb due to standing continuously for several hours. Sometimes it seemed unbearable, but I was able to further my studies at the university. “Thinking about the journey. Determined to overcome difficulties” – Lam expressed confidence.

The poor man from Thanh Hoa quit his seasonal job more than two weeks ago after the university announced his admission. Although somewhat regrettable, there is no other way, because studies are the most important thing for Lam at the moment.

Working as a seasonal worker for about a month allowed Lam to earn some extra money to fund his immediate studies. Thanks to this job, Lam is stronger, appreciates and loves her mother more.

Lam plans to find a part-time job at a restaurant near school after arranging her studies to ease the burden on her grandmother and mother.

Currently, Lam is living in a university dormitory. To see her child, Ms. Lo Thi Thoa only took advantage of the weekend. For his poor mother, Lam is not only an inspiration but also a source of pride.

“Because of my hard life, I was forced to send my children back into the care of my grandmother. The day Lam called me to tell me the good news that I had passed the university exams, I was very happy” – Ms. Thoa said.

While congratulating her son on his college graduation, Mrs. Tho was concerned about Lam’s further college expenses. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Thao’s job has been unstable and her income is lower than before.

“A few months ago, I didn’t even have a job. Now I don’t have a job and a day off because the company doesn’t have many orders. I’m just worried that I won’t be able to work.” Manage funds to support Lam’s university education” – Mrs. Tho is worried.

According to Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Ha – homeroom teacher, Lo Van Lam is a student with difficult circumstances in grade 12E at Ethnic Boarding High School in Thanh Hoa Province in the 2022-2023 school year, and has just been admitted to Kinh University. Economics – Law (Ho Chi Minh City National University).

Since childhood, Lam lacked his father’s affection, and his mother, due to circumstances, moved to Binh Duong to work as a worker for several years. Lam and her younger brother Thuong Xuan live with their grandmother in a rural area of ​​the district. To teachers and friends, Lam is an example of determination to overcome difficulties.

“The precious thing about Lam is that she has great self-esteem. With the help of teachers and friends, Lam is always willing to share difficult situations like hers. In particular, she is looking forward to completing her high school graduation exam in 2023. After graduating, Lam went to Binh Duong to work as a seasonal worker, with the hope of earning an income to complete his further university studies” – Ms Ha said.