The Youngest Child, the First to Graduate

Ngan Bui | April 19, 2017

It's not that Gioi's siblings didn't want to go to school, it's that it simply wasn't possible. Well below the poverty line the family of six couldn't afford to keep the elder siblings in school instead of work. This story is all too common in rural Vietnam, especially in the Mekong Delta, where dropout rates are highest. Girls as young as 14 rarely make it beyond 8th grade due to pressure to pursue one of the countless, low-paying factory jobs along the river.

Gioi's siblings were no exception and her life would've followed the same path if Room to Read hadn't implemented a Girls' Education Program in her region. As a primary student, she hitchhiked every morning to school and when secondary school came she rode her bicycle over 12 miles through abandoned roads to take advantage of the opportunity. With the program's support, she was the first in her family to have the chance to break free of low-paying labor through access to secondary school.

“We cannot choose where we are born and how we start, but we can absolutely choose our destination.”GioiGirls Education Program Alumnae

You can help more girls like Gioi become the first in their family to pursue higher education by becoming a monthly donor! Every month you pledge $25 you help one girl receive the books, mentorship or transit aid she needs to stay in school for the year. From April 26th through May 31st all donations up to $100,000 will be generously matched by Sensato Investors!

“We cannot choose where we are born and how we start, but we can absolutely choose our destination.” Gioi Girls Education Program Alumnae

Ngan Bui

April 19, 2017