Hang Thi Ly, born to a family of the Hmong ethnic group, lived through the hardships and bitterness of poverty. Her parents were farmers, raising their five young children with minimal means at hand. Despite all the hardships, Ly always dreamt of going to school, building a career, and working for the betterment of society.
Unfortunately, after completing high school, Ly had to give up studying because her parents could not afford her education. However, as luck would have it,through the recommendation of her friends, she found REACH and signed up for a Sales & Marketing class. A place for disadvantaged young people, REACH helped Ly improve her skills – professional, communication, and life skills.
Recalling her time studying at REACH, Ly considers this an exceptional experience not only because of the knowledge and skills she gained through the programme but also in the friendly environment and the enthusiastic support of the teachers. In fact, during her time at REACH, Ly had health problems and had to be hospitalised. In such difficult times, living far away from family, the teachers at REACH became a solid support for Ly to complete the course.
Since then, the shy Hmong girl has become confident, and is now proficient in skills that can be applied in a professional environment and even at a personal level. After graduating from REACH, Ly was successfully recruited as a sales staff in a fashion company.
With her excellent academic performance, in 2022, Ly was awarded with a scholarship for a bachelor’s programme at RMIT University Vietnam. This scholarship seemed like a miracle to her. Once deprived of the education, Ly now studies at an international university.