Growing up from floods and storms, Nguyen D.V., a Passerelles numériques Vietnam (PNV) alumni, has now become a successful IT engineer. His story is one filled with struggles and hardships, but also the story of swimming against the tide towards a brighter land with unparalleled perseverance.
From a weather-beaten home
Nguyen D.V. was born and raised in Quang Binh – a central Vietnam province notorious for heavy rainfall and flooding. With the early passing of his father, his mother alone had to bear the brunt of fending for a family of six. Speaking about his rough childhood, V. wistfully remembered the time when his mother traveled far for a month to make some money, his sisters and brothers had no other choice but to take care of themselves and each other. V.’s mother was frequently skipping jobs, from selling junks to farming, feeding his family one day at a time with her unstable and fleeting income. Back then, breakfasts were a luxury, because abject poverty clung to them like an unwelcomed guest. On top of that, his family had to live in constant fear of whether their home could stand through another season of storms. Nevertheless, V. and his brother, fortunately, received generous support from the East Meets West organization to be the only ones among their siblings to finish high school.
During V.’s final years at high school, he was restlessly preoccupied with what to study next and which college he should apply to. Feeling like time was running out, V. wanted to opt for the shortest path to escape poverty; economics and agriculture were the only choices he could think of. However, when he was finally introduced to PNV, V. was reminded of the career prospect of the IT sector with only three years of training. With no hesitation, V. decided to seize this precious chance to alter the trajectory of his life towards a better future.
Seasons of hope
To Nguyen D.V., studying at PNV was a far cry from his experiences in high school. The teachers at PNV were really passionate and devoted to each and every student; they were particularly attentive to those who needed extra help to catch up with their peers. V. was also immersed in a wide range of academic and soft skill lessons, which served as a springboard for him to fulfill his potential after graduation. Moreover, PNV’s instructors often assigned students with interesting exercises and challenges. For the first time in his life, V. and his friends got to ride their bikes to the beach to interview tourists, practice singing in groups to timeless foreign songs, and engage in other extra-curricular activities to improve their English.
What is more, V.’s life after school could not be more different from before. Living with 20 other students under one roof, they needed to learn how to navigate day-to-day chores, schooling, and socializing activities. A new day would begin with them cooking breakfast, then riding to school, and end with them sharing their thoughts and feelings with each other. Above all, V. treasured these peaceful and endearing memories, which he sometimes revisits with fondness and affection.
An open house, an open heart
Five years after graduation, Nguyen D.V. is now able to substantially support himself and his family with a secure IT profession. Most miraculous of all is that he has managed to start building a new and steady house for his family, putting to rest all the worries of collapsing during storm seasons. As their house is growing roots in his homeland, in recent years V. chose to give back to the community and spread the same kindness he had received from PNV and other non-profit organizations. For about one year up until now, he becomes an ardent sponsor of Quang Binh SOS Children’s Village. V. also uses his savings to financially assist PNV. Grateful for the opportunities he was granted at PNV, V. also comes back to tutor current students with a searing empathy for their difficulties and determination to better themselves.
Having weathered through a childhood fraught with poverty and calamities, V. nonetheless has achieved significant accomplishments. His time at PNV has proved an invaluable asset for him to become the best version of himself. But the secret to V.’s success is rather simple: no matter what, just keep swimming.