Some of the CEF students work so hard to maintain a high standard

Some students work so hard to achieve a high standard at school and spend an unbelievable amount of hours each day to do this. This CEF student has a very sweet sponsor who offered her private English tuition, but she hasn't the time as she already is doing 18 hours of extra tuition sessions out of her school hours, plus all her school classes, and compulsory extra tuition at school, and all her home work! To maintain her standard she can't fit in more English classes as it will detract from her studies, and so she will need to wait until next summer to do the English course.

Some students really impress us at CEF with their attitude and the amount of time they put into studying without any external pressure due to their yearning to do really well at school.
This little grade 4 sweetheart is an only child of a single parent who is poor and hardly received any education herself, as was the case with her own mother. She works hard at school, studies a lot at home, and is the best student in her class. We and her mother are very proud of her, her efforts and her results.

One of our CEF students recently decided to stop being a novice nun. She loved being a novice nun, loved the peace and tranquility and the Buddhist studies.  But she is also very intelligent and an excellent student and could fit in the required school studies and maintain her standard while in secondary school. But she realized that once she entered high school it would be very hard to allocate the time needed to maintain her high standard. The work load is about twice as much when they are in high school. As she wants a university education she decided it was best to leave now before grade 10 started. She is content with her decision and we are sure she will do very well.

Snippets of CEF students letters

One of our tertiary students wrote about their summer:
.....During the summer I had to join in on some classes at college so I didn’t travel anywhere. Besides studying at college I also did a part time job which was suitable to my ability. Therefore I didn’t feel it was difficult or hard. I just quit that job at the beginning of the new school year because I want to concentrate to my study. 
However, there were many interesting things I did this summer. I did join some activities which were held by CEF such as the 'Water Safety and Beach Outing Day', and English classes at CEF. They were both fun and very helpful. 
And my aunts‘ family from Ha Noi went to my cousin’s wedding and then visited my family for a few days. I was very happy to see them because I hadn’t seen them for many years. The happiest day was my birthday because all my family and aunts’ family organized a small party for me at home. I really enjoyed it so much.....

One of our grade 11 students wrote about her summer:
....This summer the weather was terribly hot in Hoi An. It made us all, especially the farmers, feel tired and uncomfortable. With the weather being like this the beach became an amazing place for many people. At the beach we could enjoy the cool wind and cool water, or we could lie down and hear the soothing waves. 
Two months ago I joined in on the 'Water Safety and Beach Outing Day' with CEF, and of course, our destination was a beach in Hoi An. We learned swimming and played many games in the water for the whole morning. This was so much fun. After having lunch together we went to the cinema and watched a comedy. What a wonderful summers day that was! 
However, there were also a few cool days with rain this summer because of some storms in the ocean. If there hadn't been these cool days, I think there would be many people who would have gotten sick from the terrible heat.....

A secondary school child wrote about her friend who is like a sister:
...Thanks to getting encouragement from my parents, my family and CEF my results were much better in the second term. And there is a person that I cannot forget; it is my close friend Ngan. She is a tiny girl with short hair and a kind face. Because she is very meek, she is often bullied by other naughty male students. Her family is very poor and live very far from school. In the school year, every morning, Ngan and I go to school early to review the recent lessons and prepare for the new lessons. We often share our happiness and sadness together. In my mind Ngan is my sister, and a family member. And I also feel you, Linda and CEF staff are like my family members too. I wish all you good health, happiness and success in your work. I promise I will make more efforts in my study to get better results in this school year to make you, CEF and my parents happy.......

A secondary school girl wrote about being very happy with her results and a celebratory party:
...At the end of the last school year I was so happy because I was chosen as the best student in grade 6 at my school. My family cheered my achievement by making a small party at home. It made me so happy. I promised to myself that I will study really well in order not to deny my mother of her expectations of me. 
Sometimes I go out and play with Hien, my close friend. She is very humorous and friendly. We often share our stories and feelings together. After talking to her I always feel happier and fresher.....

Letters translated by staff from Vietnamese to English

Happy International Literacy Day 2015!

"Literacy skills are the prerequisite for the learning of a broader set of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, required for creating sustainable societies."

CEF believes in the importance of literacy. One of our support programs is our 'Literacy Education Program' which includes a 'Mobile Library'.