H'Mong student pursues father's dream of education after his death

In the remote Nà Chí Phàng village, H'Mong student Ma Thi Cu is channeling her grief into determination as she prepares for her high school graduation exams. Just before the crucial tests, Cu lost her father in a tragic accident, a devastating blow for a family already struggling with poverty and the aftermath of losing their home to a typhoon in 2024.

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Cu, don't give up...

Her father, a hardworking man who toiled in the fields to support his six children, had placed all his hopes on Cu, the only one in the family to attend a boarding school. He dreamed of her escaping the cycle of poverty and securing a stable future through education. "My father promised to bear all the hardships so I could break free from the village and grasp knowledge. He wanted me to have a stable profession and escape poverty," Cu shared, her voice heavy with emotion.

Despite the immense sorrow and the suggestion from a sister to leave school and help their mother, Cu resolved to continue her studies. She understands that dropping out would likely lead to an early marriage and a life confined to agricultural labor, failing to honor her father's wishes or improve her family's situation. Her father's dream now rests on her shoulders.

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My father promised to bear all the hardships so I could break free from the village and grasp knowledge. He wanted me to have a stable profession and escape poverty.

Back at the boarding school, Cu dedicates herself to her studies, often burning the midnight oil. In her small dormitory corner, illuminated by a study lamp, she pores over textbooks until 1 or 2 AM. She is preparing for exams in mathematics, literature, history, and geography, aiming to major in Chinese language studies. For Ma Thi Cu, this academic pursuit is not just about personal achievement; it is a pivotal step to overcome adversity and uplift her family from their difficult circumstances.

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Because I love my mother, a sister advised me to quit school, go to work to help my mother and raise my younger brother. But living in the village, I understand that if I quit school now, I will also get married early, be tied to the cornfields my whole life, and won't be able to help my family.