What can education make possible for rural ethnic minority girls?

A letter to a 15-year-old self

“Dear young one,

Growing up in a small rural village, I was a girl whose days revolved around going to school and helping my mother at home. Sometimes, I would go out with my friends, but our idea of “hanging out” was heading to the fields together to pick wild vegetables for our mothers to cook for dinner. Then, one day, my teacher came all the way to my house with the news that I had been awarded a Brighter Path scholarship. At that moment, it felt as if I were hearing a fairytale come true.

The first time I joined the Empowerment Meeting, I got to travel by plane! I still remember borrowing a phone from a neighbor so I could stay in touch with my family. Once I was on the plane, I kept looking at the phone and wondering, “Wait, if I turn on airplane mode, can I still take pictures?” Silly, right? But it’s a memory I still cherish to this day.

Those trips took me to new places, introduced me to new people, let me try delicious foods I had only ever seen on TV, and taught me so many new things. Thanks to the scholarship, I began to realize that beyond my little home and familiar school, there was a much bigger world waiting for me to explore. Today, I work as an accountant and continue learning every day. I believe that as long as I keep learning, I can keep moving forward.

If there’s one thing I’d like to tell you, it’s to be braver than I was back then. Be brave enough to ask questions, try new things, and step outside your comfort zone to discover the world around you. Who knows? A few years from now, you might be the ones writing a letter like this to the younger girls who come after you.

And here’s a little secret about me: I’m from Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, a place celebrated in these lines of poetry:
“Ba Dong Beach, with its blue waters and white sands,
Ao Ba Om, a scenic gem of the Mekong Delta.”

I hope that one day, you’ll have many journeys of your own, make beautiful memories, and collect countless stories to share. Wishing you lots of joy and wonderful discoveries as you begin this new chapter!

With love,
My Trinh”

The letter to her 15-year-old self below shares heartfelt reflections from My Trinh, a recipient of the Brighter Path Scholarship (Phase 2). VinaCapital Foundation is honored to share her letter and proud to have supported her journey and witnessed her growth along the way.