Countless number of children in Vietnam do not have the same opportunities that we take for granted. Through M.E.M.O.’s first annual SOS Night, we hope to educate the UCLA community about the continuing educational disparities in third world countries, specifically Vietnam. In rural areas of Vietnam, children are often unable to continue their education due to financial instability and difficulties within families. Contrary to the education systems in place here, schooling in Vietnam is available on a fee basis, resulting in children being pulled out of school early for the simple reason that families are unable to afford the constant payments that continued education requires. Every summer Medical, Educational Missions and Outreach (MEMO) goes on a medical mission trip to Vietnam to provide ambitious students with scholarships to continue their education.
To raise more awareness and raise funds towards this cause, MEMO at UCLA invites you to our Symphony of Scholarships Night on Feb. 22nd, 2017. Please support our cause and like our page!
https://www.facebook.com/MEMO.SOSnight/
If you are interested in donating to our cause, please check out the donation link below:
https://www.crowdrise.com/symphony-of-scholarshi…/…/phoitran
Thank you for your support!
#SOS2017
To raise more awareness and raise funds towards this cause, MEMO at UCLA invites you to our Symphony of Scholarships Night on Feb. 22nd, 2017. Please support our cause and like our page!
https://www.facebook.com/MEMO.SOSnight/
If you are interested in donating to our cause, please check out the donation link below:
https://www.crowdrise.com/symphony-of-scholarshi…/…/phoitran
Thank you for your support!
#SOS2017
What is your favorite memory from school?
YVONNE BUI:"If you couldn't go to school....what would you miss?
The little girl you see in this photo would be a completely different person. I remember going through my first few years of school in English as a Second Language classes, getting the chance to go to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in elementary school, going to Texas and Atlanta as part of school choirs... and now to being a part of an campus org that has given me an opportunity to grow and do so much more. Getting an education, from elementary to college, has been more than learning the ABCs; it’s helped me to learn more about myself and to think critically about and explore the world we live in. PLEASE HELP US SEND MORE KIDS TO SCHOOL" |
NHUNG NGUYEN:"Probably the shyest kid in the whole school, I never talked to anyone other my sister and maybe my cousins. Most of the time I never cry and usually just "tough it out". As a child wrapped up in my own silence, I had a lot of time to observe and think. School wasn't amazing for a shy kid like me. However, it helped explain some of the wonderful mysteries of the world I've been observing as a kid.
After second grade, I didn't go to school for a year and half. I can't recall much from that time other than wondering around waiting for my cousins to come home to play with me after school. When my older cousins came home, I taught myself to read all their sixth grade fairy and historical tales that I loved. From that experience, once I started school again as a fourth grader, I realized how important school is to children like me. Going to school brings upon new experience and memories that help children grow. School, with the teachers staff and students, helped shape me when I'm young until I can slowly shape myself. " |
MIMI NGUYEN:"My favorite memory of school is from the day I finished reading a book by myself. Raised by my grandparents, I spoke Vietnamese and Cantonese as a primary language at home so it was difficult for me to adjust when I started preschool and had to learn to speak English in order to communicate with my teachers and friends. I remember struggling to comprehend simple questions and always wishing I was back in the comfort of my home. My first proudest moment in school was when I finished reading my first book after months of struggling to sound out words and slowly piecing them together into comprehensible sentences. Learning how to read opened me up to a whole new world of magic and adventure that I never knew existed and it gave me the confidence and excitement to take on what else school had to offer."
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JESSICA HU:"Looking back at my old childhood photos really reminded me of all the happy childhood memories I had stored away. As a child, I loved going to school! I remember being so excited to walk to elementary school every morning that I would run as fast as my little legs would carry me while my poor grandpa chased from behind. One of my favorite memories from elementary school was during fourth grade getting back a creative writing story. Writing admittedly wasn’t my favorite subject and I remember that I had been really nervous to get my story back. When my teacher passed my story back to me, I was shocked and proud to learn that she chose my paper to be read out loud in front of the class! It made me gain a new appreciation for writing and helped me slowly build my confidence and exercise my creativity."
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CINDY NGO:"One of my favorite memories in school would be playing tennis throughout all four years of high school. While game days were definitely stressful, tennis practice was always something I looked forward to after a long day of classes. I was able to form many friendships within the tennis team and always had a good time playing with my doubles partner."
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LANZEL PATAWARAN:"My favorite memory would be getting to have a mini birthday party in class if my birthday landed on a school day. I remember feeling so excited when my mom would visit the class and bring cupcakes so I could celebrate with my classmates. Simple memories like these make me miss being younger <3"
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KHANH LE:"Some of my favorite memories from elementary school were my classes' weekly trips to the library. As a student who had just come to the U.S., I struggled very much to learn English, but my teachers and the school librarian were so kind, so helpful. They were patient, recommending me many books that suited my level of English and always encouraged me to keep reading and learn more. Reading quickly became my favorite activity. I looked forward to our weekly "Library Day", itching to reading the next installment of Magic Tree House, Cam Jansen, Bailey School Kids, and Nancy Drew. I will always cherish these memories, for the years I spent in elementary school have had a profound impact on the student I became and the person I want to become."
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VENICE FAYE TORRES:"One of my favorite memories is going to elementary school with my cousin. I remember my grandpa would drive us to school every day and he would give us money or snacks. My cousin was my first best friend and we would always do everything together. She would help me finish my homework and study for tests. After school, we would walk to our grandparents’ house together and play at the beach. All the memories we created will forever remain close to my heart."
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JADE NGUYEN:"My favorite memory from school is all the after school extracurricular activities. One of the most memorable ones was Academic Decathlon where I was able to meet some of the most brilliant people. We worked together through all the ups and downs during competitions and supported each other's passions. Here, I was able to experience the amazing effect of public speaking and learn many valuable lessons from my teammates. They were always there to help me through the struggles of public speaking and I'm forever grateful to have such a supportive family!"
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KIM TRUONG:"I think my favorite memory has to be back in kindergarten when my class would have 'sharing time' on Friday afternoons. I remember bringing in Pokémon movies and then the whole class would watch it. I would look around to watch my classmates' reactions, having seen the movies over and over again already. Haha, they were simple, yet memorable times--and I am so thankful for them."
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KEVIN PHAM:"School definitely has its ups and downs, but I can say that my favorite memory is going to elementary school and Vietnamese language school with my sister and my cousins. Every day after elementary school, Gramp and Granny would drive us grandchildren back to their home, where we would eat together, do homework together, and just play together. My sister and my cousins were my first friends, and when my cousins and I started Vietnamese language school together, we had my sister, who was then a teacher's aide, get us snacks every week. As we grow up, we move onto different schools and even colleges, but I know that they as well as the other friends I've made throughout my education so far always have my back."
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Amanda Phan:"One of my favorite memories from school was from kindergarten! I distinctly remember being thankful that my older sister was one of the cool fifth graders who came to our class to be like a teacher's helper by stamping my classes' papers. I transferred halfway through the school year, and she was able to make me instantly one of the hippest chicks in class by having the "power" to stamp my new friends' papers :") When I look back on it, my favorite memories come with being able to experience school with my siblings by having the same teachers, and just waking up everyday knowing I had both Brandon Phan and Pauline Q. Phan going through the same thing!"
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Hannah Chun:"One of my favorite memories I have from school is 8th grade choir concert. It was the last class event of the year and also the last concert for our director before his retirement. After we finished performing the last song, all of the students rushed out to give our director a group hug. It really was such a remarkable night for the students, the director, and the audience. "
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YINNY CHAN:"One of my favorite memories from school was the monthly book fairs in elementary school. We would all line up in a single file to walk to the book fair and then they’d set us free once we got to the fair. I’d immediately grab all the Captain Underpants comics before anyone else got to them."
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