Nghia has begun his schooldays in TLS since 2006 including a couple of months break due to his house in District 7 was demolished for new building construction. At that time he had to drop out to give a hand to his family to move to Binh Chanh District and live with his uncle's family.

Nghia said his father passed away in 2005 because of inflammatory liver. When living, he was a war invalid living on a small allowance of the government. He usually drank alcohol so much that his mother couldn't stand and divorced him when Nghia was just ten years old. She remarried afterwards.

Nowadays, Nghia and his only young sister are residing in their uncle's house in Binh Chanh District but Nghia goes to visit his mother nursing his ill stepfather in District 7 every week.

Born in a destitute family, his father was dead and his mother has another husband. As a result, Nghia doesn't have enough love and care from parents and relatives. Nevertheless, Nghia tried to finish his grade 9 at Tran Quoc Tuan secondary school in District 7. Then he was introduced to go to TLS. At present, Nghia is studying English, photography, and IT. He is taking the hospitality course organized by SCC as well. Nghia hopes that after graduation he can get a job in a hotel or a big restaurant in the city to support himself and his studying sister.

Nghia's English is pretty good. On visiting his English class once in a while I found that he often raised his hand to answer the questions of the teacher and foreign volunteers. He doesn't look reluctant, frightened or shy in English communication. On the contrary he's fearless and confident. He often stays after class to raise queries to the teacher.

To respond to the bulletin writing contest on the Teachers' Days on Nov 20th, Nghia was the first student who handed in two essays. Through them I understood those were not superficial ideas but it was his true love for TLS.

Nghia is a good student of photography as well. In the art and photo exhibition organized at the Conservatory on Nov 20th, Nghia was honoured to be granted the trophy for the most beautiful photo. He confided to me that even though his uncle and aunt were not interested in his learning, he was very happy and proud of his study result. He brought it home and placed it at his own corner. He also yearns to become a great photographer in the future.

Touched by his traveling a long distance of over 20 km from Binh Chanh District to TLS every time, the school management board raised fund from kindhearted people to buy him a bicycle. It was just a secondhand bike but was evaluated 80% new and reliable. When called to take it, he was very cheerful. He didn't imagine he could own a bicycle so soon. He thought he must have waited a longer time. Now with the bike, Nghia doesn't have to catch the bus and pay for the fare. The way to school is still far and the bicycle isn't as fast as a motorbike but he has the time and can go everywhere he wants.

He is going to be supported by SCC to go to the dentist soon. Last month he was introduced by TLS to work as a waiter for a big restaurant on Pham Ngu Lao street but he was refused although he passed the English interview due to his loss of three front teeth. I hope that after he accomplishes the English course of hospitality, the new big smile will enable him to have a good job. And hereafter, his future will be more stable and brighter.