It’s graduation season, and Children of Peace International is excited to celebrate our students!

Scholarships are at the heart of Children of Peace International’s work. This year, COPI supported over 275 students ranging from third grade to university. When a student comes into our scholarship program, we walk alongside them throughout their educational journey.

One such student, Đặng Thị Sen, recently graduated from Medical School. In the letter below, she shares the story of her educational journey and the ways the scholarship has impacted her life.

Đặng Thị Sen’s letter:

Dear Everyone at COPI,

My name is Đặng Thị Sen, and I have recently graduated with a degree in Medicine after six years of study at Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy.

Today, I am writing this letter with all my gratitude and deepest appreciation to COPI, an organization that has accompanied me since I was a second-grade girl until this very day. Seventeen years have passed, yet the love, care, and support that all of you have given me have always been a great source of motivation, encouraging me to continue striving on my journey of education and personal growth.

Early life

I was born and raised in a family of four in a commune in Phu Yen Province. My parents are farmers who mainly work on the fields to make a living. Our family’s income depends entirely on agriculture, so life has always been full of difficulties and financial hardship. Despite all the challenges, my parents have always done their best to ensure that my sister and I could continue going to school, hoping that their children would have a better future.

Throughout my university years, in order to pursue my dream and not disappoint those who always believed in me, I worked various part-time jobs, including serving at restaurants and tutoring students, to cover my living expenses. However, when I entered the clinical years of medical school, with a demanding schedule of hospital rotations and internships, there were times when I had to stop working in order to focus on my studies and clinical practice.

COPI’s Impact: More than a scholarship

To me, the scholarship from COPI was not only financial support but also an enormous source of encouragement for both me and my family. That support helped ease the burden of tuition fees and living expenses during some of the most difficult periods of my student life.

Even today, I am writing this letter on the laptop that COPI generously gave me after learning about the difficulties of a third-year student who could not afford a computer for her studies. To me, it was not just a gift; it was a symbol of understanding, kindness, and trust. Thanks to that support, I was able to study more effectively, access knowledge more easily, and continue nurturing my dream of becoming a doctor.

After many years of hard work and perseverance, I am proud to say that I have graduated with Honors in Medicine. Looking back on my journey, I realize how fortunate I have been to always have COPI by my side, supporting and encouraging me throughout my years of growth.

Future Plans

In the future, I hope to become financially independent, support my family, and help others who face difficulties similar to those I experienced in the past by sharing, supporting, and accompanying them on their own journeys toward achieving their dreams.

After graduation, I plan to move to Ho Chi Minh City to prepare for the medical licensing examination or begin working in order to complete the required twelve-month clinical practice period. I will continue to work hard, gain experience, and improve myself so that I can become a good doctor who can help many patients and contribute to society.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to everyone at COPI for your love, care, and companionship throughout the past seventeen years. Your support has not only changed my education but has also changed my future and my life.

As I conclude this letter, I would like to wish all of you good health, happiness, and success in life. I also sincerely hope that COPI will continue to grow and achieve even greater success in reaching and supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds, just as you have supported me, so that they may have more opportunities to pursue their dreams and build a brighter future.

Thank you very much for everything.

With sincere gratitude,

Đặng Thị Sen

Support COPI Scholars

Đặng Thị Sen’s story illustrates the impact a scholarship can have on not only an individual but on the larger community. COPI is committed to providing scholarships to students throughout Vietnam, so they can achieve their dreams and invest in their communities.

You can provide a full year of schooling to a student in Vietnam for the following rates:

  • Elementary School: $40
  • Middle School: $80
  • High School: $100
  • University: $192

Donate now to support students like Đặng Thị Sen throughout their educational journey.