Inspiring stories
Tuan Anh's Story
“A hundred million raindrops fall, and not a single one lands in the wrong place. Every person we meet is meant to be.”
That quote from a famous teacher has always stayed with me - a gentle reminder that everything in life happens for a reason. Looking back, I truly believe that SAL was one of those meaningful moments, a beautiful arrangement that life brought into my path.
There was a time when I didn’t believe I was capable enough - not smart enough, not talented enough - to be part of SAL. I was full of doubt, constantly asking myself: Would I make it? Would I ever get to Saigon to study?
And then the day came - the day I received the news that I had been accepted into the SAL scholarship program. I remember standing there, overwhelmed with joy. It felt like I had just stepped into a new world - a world much bigger than I had ever imagined for myself.
SAL, to me, is far more than just a scholarship. It’s a journey - one of companionship, of sharing, of learning, and of growing. I entered the program as a timid, clueless boy. But over time, SAL helped me grow - slowly, quietly - into someone more aware, more mature, more alive. I got to experience things I had never even dreamed of before: SAL Christmas, the summer trips, the inspiring workshops… each moment left a mark on me.
Over 3 years, moments that touched me most deeply were the times with my Mentors - especially Mr. Nhut. When I first met him, I was so shy. But inside that nervousness was a heart full of admiration. One memory I’ll never forget is when he took me on a trip to Nha Be. As someone new to the city, getting to see that part of Saigon - to hear about its beauty from him - filled me with excitement. During my first year, walking alongside him, I learned what strength and resilience look like. He showed me what it meant to keep going, no matter how hard things might have got. He was - and still is - someone I deeply look up to. Even though we weren’t paired in my second year, his presence lingered in my heart.
In the second year, I met Mr. Nhien - a Mentor full of passion and energy. His stories, especially about the world of Information Technology, lit a new fire in me. He was different from Mr. Nhut, but just as impactful - reminding me why I needed to keep trying.
Of course, this journey hasn’t been without struggle. There were times I cried. Times I broke down under the pressure of school, of keeping my grades high enough to keep the scholarship. There were moments when I thought I’d lost everything - when I felt like I was slipping into something darker. But somehow, I held on. I found my strength again. I chose to keep walking - slowly, perhaps, but steadily. I didn’t give up. I didn’t let go. And looking back, I have had no regrets. Every step I took - no matter how hard - was worth it. Every effort was meaningful.
SAL has given me so much more than just support for school. It’s given me knowledge, confidence, and above all - genuine, lasting connections. It’s been a place where I could truly be myself, a place that helped me become a better version of who I was - every single day.
And I know now - every person I met in this journey - the Mentors, Mentees, and the SAL team - none of them came into my life by accident. They were the raindrops that fell in just the right place. Each one helped water a little seed like me - helping me grow, gently and surely, through these precious years of youth.