“It is a very special school in Da Nang” – This is how Helly Tong, founder of two business models of green living space and refill station, creative director of Song Foundation, perfectly summarized Passerelles numériques Vietnam (PNV). The talk later reveals the unique ways this school has been making an impact on underprivileged students.
The school of inspirational growth
The 11-year chronology of PNV is filled with inspirational stories of perseverance and growth from more than 500 underprivileged youths across 7 central provinces of Vietnam.
Nguyen D. V. (PNV’16) received a zero on his first exam at PNV in shock. V. was among the majority of students who struggled when starting at PNV: students had never owned personal computers and could not afford access to technology. Taking advantage of the English program and the computer lab at PNV, V. explored IT resources in English, spent extra hours after school staying in the lab to familiarize himself with computer languages. His effort, along with the constant support from teachers, led to V.’s significant growth in skills and knowledge. V. shared with joy: “5 years after graduating, I was able to support my family and help my mom renovate our house.” Since his first day at PNV, V.’s goal has been to escape poverty in 10 years. “Now, it has only been 7 years since my start, and I have already left poverty behind.” – V. grinned.
Joining PNV, Ho T. Ng. did not know where the power button of the PC was. Lack of familiarity with technology challenged Ng., but the success stories of her upperclassmen inspired her. “If they can do it, why can’t I?” – she thought to herself and strived forward, dashing through struggles, stress, and self-doubt.
Studying IT with no prior experience at a special school requires significant tenacity and effort. However, the result that PNV has witnessed over generations of students is incredible. Graduates have leaped out of poverty. They, in return, support their families as well as communities, both financially and intellectually. They appear in local stories and conversations, inspiring young students from their hometown to seek social mobility and gender equality through education.
The school of unconditional love
Upon matriculation at PNV, students leave their families to stay on the PNV campus. “Though it sounds cliche, PNV was truly my second home” – Gia C. B., a sophomore, said. According to B., at PNV, he felt unconditional love and support similar to those he received at home.
One of B.’s most memorable moments at PNV was when he suffered from a gastritis episode during a class that even the painkiller would not ease away the ache. When B. was worrying that he had less than 200,000 VND (~8 USD) in savings and neither his family nor friends were there to take care of him, B. ‘s educator at PNV took him to the ER. She visited B. throughout his 3-day hospital stay, bringing him food and paying for his hospital bill. To B., the love and support he received were similar to the unconditional support from his family, and he is forever grateful.
The school of burning dreams
“PNV has completely transformed my dream and goal in life” – said Pham Nh., a sophomore at PNV from Dong Giang – Quang Nam. Students at PNV are self-motivated ones. With bachelor degrees in IT and job opportunities as springboards, they set meaningful goals for themselves and seek ways to give back to their families and communities.
Nh. dreams of becoming an English teacher. In Nh.’s hometown, only two students, including Nh., attended college. Nhu wishes to open English classes in her hometown and encourage higher education among students, so that the rate of college enrollment for her hometown is as high as in other areas.
For Gia C. B., the front porch of B.’s home is always flooded when the rain arrives due to the damaged roof. The struggle of having to place a temporary shield to prevent the flood from entering motivates B to improve the living condition of his family. He aims to be a business analyst, earning a stable income and saving up for a more robust house.
The intellectual paths of PNV students are challenging ones, especially in the context of COVID-19, but the strength of community can knock down everything, including social, class or geographical barriers, so that humanity can thrive again – like a flower blooming in a storm.
PNV is always grateful for the invaluable support and companionship of sponsors during the past time. The road that PNV is taking is a very long journey, and we hope to have you with us!