New Year's Eve without mom, I have to be stronger!

(NLDO) – On New Year's Eve, firecrackers explode everywhere. Students celebrating Tet far from home suppress their sadness and can only send New Year's greetings by phone.

This year, Le Thi My Trinh, a senior student at the University of Architecture in Ho Chi Minh City, cannot return to Quang Ngai to be with her family for Tet. Although she misses home very much, Trinh still chooses to stay in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet to earn more income. Since her mother got cancer, the family's already difficult situation has become even more difficult. Her father works as a construction worker and has to borrow money everywhere to pay for her mother's treatment. As the eldest daughter, Trinh is well aware that she must share some of the hardship with her father.

Try to make your mother get well soon

In previous years, Trinh was like a little princess, always returning home early to celebrate Tet with her family, being cared for and loved by her parents. This year, Trinh has become more mature and independent.

Trinh earns extra income during Tet by painting decorative paintings for shops and restaurants.

The female student from Quang said: "Going back to my hometown for Tet will cost a lot of money, I can save this money for other purposes. Besides, this year I have to do a project so it costs a lot. If I work hard, I can pay for my own education and help my father with some money to treat my mother's illness."

Taking advantage of her painting ability and artistic eye, Trinh took on painting jobs to decorate shops for Tet. Each shift lasted from 9am to 5pm, Trinh was paid 350,000 VND. However, this job was not fixed. In her free time, Trinh rode her motorbike nearly 20km from Thu Duc City to Ba Diem Commune, Hoc Mon District to work at a delivery warehouse. For each hour of work, Trinh was paid 25,000 VND.

The female student said that her mother is the biggest motivation for her to keep trying. On New Year's Eve, Trinh could only call her family to wish them a happy new year. Suppressing her sadness, the little girl promised herself to be stronger, to finish her studies well and bring home her excellent graduation certificate as a gift for her mother.

Despite difficult circumstances, Trinh always has an optimistic smile and works hard.

New Year's Wish

Also a final year student and currently doing an internship, Nguyen Thi Hong Anh, a student at the University of Labor and Social Affairs (campus II, District 12), said she also took advantage of Tet to work extra.

Anh said that in the 9th grade, her family encountered a crisis. Her father spent all his time and money on treating her mother's liver cancer. Although it was difficult, her father always tried to ensure that Anh and her brother could attend school. When their mother passed away, her father devoted all his love to continuing to raise his children to go to university.

Anh couldn't remember how long it had been since the three of them had returned to Vinh Phuc to visit their grandmother. The cycle of making a living had made their father increasingly miserable, and their older brother had become the breadwinner for the family.

"Although I am the youngest and am loved by my older brother and father, I still want to work extra to reduce the economic burden on the family. Every year, during Tet, I usually work as a waitress. This year, I am teaching intervention at home for autistic children," Anh said.

Anh studies psychology and loves children. In her spare time, Anh sells souvenirs and handmade items.

Anh said that during Tet, there are still many families who need extra tutoring for autistic children and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Most of these cases require 1-on-1 intervention, close tutoring at home, hoping that their children can soon integrate better.

Still in the internship period, the salary support is limited, but Anh still tries hard. Anh believes that gaining experience will increase her own value.

"When my mother was still alive, Tet was very warm. She would wrap cakes and cook many delicious dishes. Without her, the family celebrates Tet more simply. Mainly, we gather together on New Year's Eve, go to the pagoda and rest at the beginning of the year" - Anh confided.

Life skills lesson for primary school students taught by Anh

Looking at the innocent children who have difficulty communicating, the young girl aspires to become an inclusive teacher. On New Year's Eve, Anh hopes to graduate soon, find a job in her field and bring her whole family back to her hometown to visit her grandmother after many years apart.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/giao-thua-vang-me-con-phai-manh-me-hon-196250129013310778.htm