The Dream of Crossing Mountains of a Hmong Boy
Amid the vast mountain ranges of Nà Pù village, Niêm Tòng commune, Mèo Vạc district, Hà Giang province — a frontier region of Vietnam — stands a small house nestled against the hillside. This humble home belongs to the family of Vừ Mí Sình, born in 2006, a young boy from the Hmong ethnic group.
Sình’s house has nothing but crooked wooden walls, a dilapidated tin roof, and a makeshift livestock pen right next to his sleeping area. After the devastating Yagi storm, the already frail home became even more desolate. Yet, within this leaking house and amidst the storms of life, Vừ Mí Sình nurtures a dream — to pursue education, to change his fate, and to escape the cycle of daily survival that traps his parents and siblings.
Living in the boundless mountains where hunger and cold constantly loom, Sình lacks the favorable conditions for learning that his peers might enjoy. From his home to the town center is a 20-kilometer journey by motorbike on rocky paths, followed by another 5 kilometers of steep, rugged terrain. From a young age, Sình has joined his family in tending to the fields, growing rice and corn, and cutting grass for cattle, holding onto the modest hope that life might someday improve.
What sets Sình apart is his unwavering determination to pursue education and discover the world beyond his mountains. Wandering year-round through the endless peaks, he often wonders, “What lies beyond the mountain?”
Challenging Conditions Hindering the Path to Education
Vừ Mí Sình, a Hmong student, harbors a deep desire to attend school, but his journey toward education is fraught with challenges. “I want to go to school, but my family’s circumstances are very difficult,” he shares. His family relies on farming, working tirelessly year-round just to make ends meet, making it hard for Sình to sustain his education.
Moreover, Sình is fluent only in Hmong, while his proficiency in the national language remains limited. This language barrier further complicates his learning process, adding to the struggles he faces in his pursuit of education.
“My house is in a remote village, and the path to school is tough, so my journey to education has been quite difficult,” Sình says, his eyes reflecting the weariness of arduous school commutes. To reach school, he must traverse steep trails that become muddy and slippery during the rainy season, often forcing him to miss classes. On cold, wet days, the treacherous paths become so dangerous that Sình fears making the journey at all.
These challenges make his educational path seem increasingly uncertain, yet Sình has never abandoned his dream. Despite the hardships, his perseverance and determination continue to fuel his hope that one day he will overcome these obstacles and achieve a brighter future.
Opening Doors to the Future with EI Group’s Study Abroad Program in Taiwan
During a rare trip to town, Sình learned about EI Group’s Taiwan Study Abroad Program at the provincial employment center in Hà Giang. As the admissions officers explained the opportunities for studying abroad, a spark of realization lit up in Sình’s eyes. Taiwan—a place he had only known through stories—suddenly felt closer than ever, turning into a tangible dream.
Encouraged by his family and fueled by newfound determination, Sình resolved to travel to Hanoi to pursue this dream. While excited, he was also anxious, struggling with limited proficiency in Vietnamese and the burden of his family taking on debt. For the first time in his life, Sình arrived in Hanoi—a bustling, unfamiliar city that overwhelmed him with its noise and pace. Fortunately, the teachers at EI Group stood by him every step of the way. Thanks to their dedication, Sình realized that even with an underprivileged start, unwavering willpower and perseverance could open any door of opportunity.
“At school, the teachers often spoke about opportunities for education and new paths in life,” Sình shares. “I came to understand how difficult life is in my hometown, where survival is a daily battle. That’s why I am determined to study abroad, to gain new knowledge and experiences that can help change the lives of people in my village. In the future, I hope to return home, bring positive changes, and create opportunities for others so that no one has to live in poverty like before.”
A Remarkable Feat: Mastering Chinese in Just Three Months
Turning Dreams into Reality with a Taiwanese Study Visa
The day Sình received his Taiwanese study visa, the small village of Nà Pù lit up with hope and pride. Neighbors and relatives celebrated his unwavering determination and resilience. For a community perched on the steep mountains, isolated from the outside world, Sình’s achievement was nothing short of a miracle for the Hmong people there.
The once-quiet house, battered by wind and rain, now buzzed with joy and laughter as representatives from EI Group, local authorities, and the Hà Giang employment center joined the villagers to congratulate the young student. Proud smiles and heartfelt encouragement made the vast, rugged mountains feel warmer than ever.
With the visa in hand, Sình was ready to take flight to Taiwan, beginning a journey to transform his life and uplift his family. Standing at Nội Bài Airport, Sình once again asked himself, “What lies beyond the mountains?”
This time, he knew the answer: Beyond the mountains lies the dream of studying in Taiwan, a gateway to new horizons and endless possibilities. And on this journey, Sình is not alone; EI Group continues to stand by his side, supporting him every step of the way as he turns his dreams into reality.
share
Copy Success
Featured case studies
20/12/2024 
