Hien - Age 15
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Hien is a 15-year-old girl from a poor village in Dien Ban district, Quang Nam province, in Central Vietnam. Her father passed away in 2008 from HIV/AIDS. Her father left behind his wife, who is also HIV-infected. Fortunately, Hien and her older brother are HIV negative. After the father’s death, the paternal grandparents did not want Hien’s family to stay with them in Da Nang city. Hien’s family would often move when her neighbors would find out about her HIV status.
Hien and her family eventually moved to a poor-quality shack in her maternal grandmother's hometown. Three years later, they got support from the local government to build a small house with contributions from her family. To keep the HIV status a secret, Hien’s mother doesn’t go to the health center nearby. She travels 40km by motorbike to Da Nang HIV clinic to get ARV medicine every month. Hien’s mother works in a laundry company. These days are always long, and often tiring but she is motivated every time she thinks of her child. She also raises pigs in hopes that it will contribute to covering their daily expense. She works extremely hard, and struggles to make ends meet for her children. Now Hien is in grade 9 and is always one of the best students in her class. Thanks to her strong academic performance in the past school year, she was given a tour of the local government in her region. “Although my family is poor, I am happy, because we love each other. I enjoy going to school, and I am a good student. I love Math and Chemistry, and want to be a teacher when I grow up,” says Hien. Hien enjoys the school very much and is an excellent student. She and her family hope to have a stable life in their hometown and no longer have to move. You can help! - With a support of $450 USD, Hien will be able to receive basic needs of health care and food. - Hien’s school enrollment is $150 USD/year. With your support, you'll be able to assist with her tuition, books, and school uniform. NOTE: VNHIP uses PayPal to process recurring donations. Please enter the name and age of the child/children you wish to sponsor under 'Add special instructions to seller' when you review your order.
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This photo has been 'cartoonized' to protect her identity.
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