Wishing Upon A Star
By Vu Ngoc Lan*
Each and every star is for something or someone. That’s what my grandmother told me when I was young and I used to look at the stars and wonder which one was mine. There was one very bright star that stood out from the rest and I thought it was amazing. Its light sparkled in my young eyes and I wished upon that star every night as I stared at it.
I’m a poor girl, even compared to others living in my ward. During my childhood, I’ve lived in large houses belonging to various relatives of mine. Some people think that, although I’m not rich, my life is happy because I get to live in such homes. But, it’s not true! My life might appear peaceful from the outside, but it’s not!
My mother is a kind, caring women with a lot of love for her family, but she is a woman of disabilities. Being unable to use her legs properly has meant she’s lost hope for the future. Also, my father suffers from a mental illness and is always laughing crazily. I hate it when other people in my ward look disapprovingly or contemptuously at my parents and our dependent state. My relatives, too, are sometimes cold in their attitudes towards us.
I didn’t use to do anything with any interest or confidence. I was scared of failure and feeling useless or weak. I didn’t want to talk to anyone and I felt depressed and desperate. Thankfully, those days are gone!
Everything changed after I took part in a World Vision project – called ‘New Beginnings for Children’ – for youngsters in Hai Phong. The project’s leaders and activities taught me about my rights as a child and what I need to think and do to improve my life. I talked with some of the other children on the project and I learned that many people have worse circumstances than mine, but have managed to build happy and meaningful lives. Thinking about this has helped me to have a more positive outlook on my life and future.
The project is ongoing and I feel more mature with every activity we do. People know that I’m an enthusiastic and active member of the project’s club and I have joined the communication team. We’ve just carried out a small project in our ward to teach others in our community about children’s rights and how they can be implemented. After the event, a local official, Ms. Dan, told me that she’d been really impressed by my contribution. Her words made me very happy!
As well as the club activities, World Vision’s project provides other help to people. They have lent my family some money, paid our school fees, and given us schoolbooks. I feel more confident about being at school now and my future in education. My mother’s smile because of all this makes me smile too!
The people in my ward are now very familiar with World Vision and the ‘New Beginnings for Children’ project in Hai Phong. One of the World Vision workers told me that there is a brilliant star in the sky and their vision is to be that star to inspire more poor children to improve their lives.
I still look at that star, but not in the same way as before. I now want to reach the star, to touch it! The project has changed my life for the better more than anything else. I’ve learned to recognise my values as a person, to trust, hope and sympathise – and to dream! It’s a new me!
I’m going to set goals for myself and do my best to achieve them. But, the thing I want to do most is to become someone who is a role model for other disadvantaged children and help them as World Vision is doing now. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the people who helped me and I hope there will always be a ‘star’ for others in difficulties.
*Lan is among more than 500 children living in extreme difficult circumstance (CEDC) who are receiving assistance from World Vision's New Beginnings for Children Project. Implemented in Hai Phong, the project focuses on enhancing child participation, improving access of CEDC to education and healthcare, and raising income for families of CEDC.