Linh grew up in a household where money was tight. Every time a paycheck came, Linh’s mother set aside 500,000 VND, about $19, for his gas and breakfast. Linh usually stretched that money over three or four weeks, making every penny count.

Linh lives with his mother in a small rented room in Long Thành District, Đồng Nai Province, east of Ho Chi Minh City. There used to be four in the family. His father died of throat cancer, and several years ago his older sister died suddenly of a brain hemorrhage. His mother works at a packaging workshop for around 6 to 7 million VND a month, roughly $250. Sometimes when orders are slow her hours are cut and she earns less.

Linh was 15 when social workers from our partner, Saigon Children’s Charity in Vietnam, first met him. He was among a small group of vocational students in Đồng Nai receiving scholarships. Many of the students were quiet and kept to themselves. Some rarely spoke up or showed much interest in what was happening around them. But as the social workers got to know the students, they began to see that their silence didn’t tell the whole story. 

Linh was no exception.

During summer breaks, Linh worked at a garment factory and put his pay toward school fees. He became group leader for the Đồng Nai scholarship students, reminding the others to turn in their transcripts, collecting their academic updates, and passing on news from the charity. When the group met, he was usually the one setting out drinks and snacks for students and staff. And when his mother needed to get to an appointment or run an errand, Linh took her on the back of his 50cc motorbike.