Y Hoa was born on March 27, 2005, and is the sixth of ten children in her family. Raised in a farming family facing significant financial hardship, she was sent to live at Vinh Son Children's Home at a very young age. Although the separation from her family was difficult, she considers the opportunity to grow up at Vinh Son 2 a true blessing that has shaped her life and future.

Her parents worked as farmers and, with so many children to support, were unable to provide educational opportunities for all of them. Today, several of her older siblings are married and work as farmers, while others have moved away for employment. Her younger brother and sister continue to help their parents with farming at home.

At Vinh Son, Y Hoa enjoys serving others in everyday ways. During school breaks, she helps the Sisters prepare meals for the children and assists with daily chores such as sweeping the yard, watering flowers, and cooking. She also enjoys learning from those around her and participating in weekend activities with the children. Above all, she loves singing and finds great joy in sharing music with others.
Looking ahead, Y Hoa hopes to find stable employment after graduation so she can become financially independent. Her long-term dream is to work in social services, where she can support people facing difficult circumstances, bring hope and encouragement to those in need, and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Enjoy this letter from Y Hoa to a few of our Board Members:

Greetings to Uncle Clyde, Uncle Tom, Aunt Jessica, Uncle Phanh, and all the uncles and aunts in the FVSO association.

First of all, I would like to send my best wishes for health and peace to all of you, my dear aunts and uncles.

Today, after finishing work, I sat down to write a few lines to everyone. It's been a month since I last wrote to check on you all, and I miss you all very much. I hope that when you receive this letter, you are all still healthy, eating well, sleeping well, that your work is going smoothly, and that your families are always safe and happy.

I'm doing well here, and everyone is very caring. Even though I'm far from home, I think about my family every day. Sometimes, while working or studying, I miss my little house, the meals we shared together, and the laughter of my family. I just wish time would pass quickly so I can return to see my grandparents in the countryside soon.

My life is quite busy now, but it's also very meaningful. Every day I wake up very early. After prayer and breakfast, I start helping the nuns with their chores. My work mainly involves cooking, cleaning the house, mopping, sweeping the yard, rearranging furniture, and tidying everything up. Some days, the yard is covered in fallen leaves, and it takes me a long time to sweep them all up. Although I'm a little tired, seeing the yard clean and the house tidy makes me very happy. The nuns always say that whatever you do, you must do it with all your heart. I remember that teaching and always try to do my best.

Besides cleaning, I also help the nuns take care of the younger children. When it's time for bath time, I prepare their clothes and towels and then bathe them. Some are so young that they don't know how to bathe themselves, so I have to coax them while I bathe them. Some are very mischievous; they giggle while bathing, splash water on me, and run around. At times like that, I'm both tired and amused. One day, after bathing them, they hugged me and said, "Thank you, sister." Just a simple sentence, but it warmed my heart so much.

At first, I was afraid I wouldn't be skillful enough, but thanks to the nuns' dedicated guidance, I'm much more familiar with the work now. Through daily tasks, I've learned patience, care, and love for others. I've realized that joy sometimes comes from very small things; just helping someone is enough to make you happy.

The nuns here are very kind and loving. They not only teach me how to work, but also show me how to live and how to behave towards others. Whenever I don't do something well, they gently remind me instead of scolding me. I feel fortunate to live in such a loving environment. Thanks to that, I've matured a great deal compared to before.

Aunt and Uncle, I only have one month left until graduation! Thinking about it makes me both happy and nervous. It feels like just yesterday I was a freshman, stepping onto the campus with so many unfamiliar things, and now my three years are almost over. Time flies so fast.

The past three years haven't always been easy. There have been times when I've had a lot of schoolwork, constant exams, and sometimes I've stayed up late studying. There have been times when I've missed home so much that I've cried, just wanting to go home and hug my family tightly. But then I think about the hardships the nuns and aunts and uncles have endured to raise and educate me. Thinking about that, I tell myself I can't give up, I have to try harder to be worthy of everyone's love and support.

I've always thought that my graduation day would be the most meaningful gift for the nuns, aunts, uncles, and my family. Without everyone's love, encouragement, and sacrifice, I certainly wouldn't have been able to get to where I am today. I'm grateful to the nuns and everyone who has always taught me to be kind, hardworking, and loving. I'm also grateful to the aunts and uncles who have always checked on me, encouraged me, and provided me with the conditions to focus on my studies.

Here, every time I see the children playing, I think of my own childhood. I remember the days when I was little, being cared for by the nuns and loved by the older children in the house. That's why I try even harder to treat them well, hoping they can feel the same warmth that I once received from everyone.

I know that after graduation, there will be many challenges ahead. I will have to work, become independent, and start a new life. I am a little worried, but I believe that with what I have learned and the lessons I have gained while living with the nuns, I will be strong enough to move forward. I hope to soon find a job in my favorite field of social work so that I can help those in need.

I also wish that when I have a stable job, I can save some money to help my family. I want them to have an easier life, and I want everyone to worry less about me. That's something I've always longed for since I started studying far from home.

This letter is getting long. I just wanted to say that I miss and love everyone very much. Thank you all for always loving, protecting, and being my support throughout these years. I will try my best to develop myself, graduate on time, and live a good life so as not to disappoint the expectations of my aunts, uncles, and the nuns.

I pray that everyone stays healthy and lives long lives surrounded by their children and grandchildren. I wish all my aunts and uncles peace, happiness, and good fortune in life.

See you all in the next letter. Goodbye for now,
Y Hoa