The Audacity of Hope by Tho

The Audacity of Hope by Tho - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

In addition to my academic education, I also work as a math tutor at my school, Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). There, I could help students to understand and challenge their struggles in this subject; moreover, I could motivate them when they feel depressed and that influences their success. I am a vice president of Phi Theta Kapa honor society, and I work with other honor students and professional instructors on educational improvement. I am a social media vice president of Collegiate DECA business club. We work on building our leadership and teamwork skills and practice in doing business. In this club, we are required voluntarily work in a certain amount of time with our community in many tasks. I am also a soccer player for my school team. I feel very good playing soccer because it becomes part of raising my school reputation as well. I am also a volunteer member of Cambodian Association of Rhode Island. There I could work with the minority Cambodian people group to make our community better.
With all my passion, performance and life experience, Community College of Rhode Island published an article about me in July, 2016, called “Cambodia native pursues education with hopes of one day aiding his country” on its website. (http://www.ccri.edu/marketing/news_events/2016/july/tho.html)
Besides that, I’m working with many NGOs’ workers, students, and human rights activists in my country, Cambodia, to eliminate poverty and inequality. I grew up in a poor family and was raised by good-hearted poor people, so I understand the struggles that poor people face and how wonderful and amazing people are. I am not a rich man in property, but my heart is rich of love. Many people want to gain wealth and become rich, but I choose to help people achieve their dreams and succeed. The real value of life isn’t about how much you have, but it’s how much you’re willing to share. Based on my philosophy, optimism about human beings, love and compassion, I strongly believe that one day I will not only help to make my community and country a great one but also help to heal the world and bring real peace to our planet.
My philosophy is this: it is important to pay back, not just to receive. I have my life duty plan after I execute my graduate degree. America is my second home and provides me with many opportunities. Therefore, after I graduate I want a position in the U.S. government to help make this country become even greater. Ultimately, I’m going back to my home country and enter politics. Cambodia is in a mess right now with millions of people living in uncertainty, fear and sadness, and the country is devastated from invasions by other countries and one group of people. That needs to be fixed. I don’t blame the older generation, current government or anyone who allows my wonderful motherland to fall into this situation because it’s also my home. It’s my responsibility to protect it; if it’s not as good as it should be, I should do something to make it better. So, I’m going to do everything possible to change my country and to make it better for all the innocent and good-heart Khmer people by providing them a better life.
I’ve seen people and governments of America, Finland, Japan and other great nations around the world dramatically working together to make their countries better. I constantly tell myself, “Now it’s time to raise my vision and work with everyone to shape Cambodia and make it a great one as well.” So, my vision, commitment and obligation is to bring change to Cambodia and help influence the lives of people in positive ways. That will be a reality message to all people around the world, especially those who grow up in poverty like me, to know that poverty doesn’t define you. Life circumstances can’t limit your options, but you’re the only one who defines yourself. Since I’ve experienced poverty and understand how it feels to be poor and hungry, I will do my best to prevent others from falling into this same experience. However, the knowledge that I have can be compared to a big jar of water when it should be like an ocean. There is much more to learn. This scholarship will be a big and meaningful support to help me keep pursing my education. Therefore, I believe that my name - an individual who is optimistic about human beings, cares about his country and wants to influence the world in a positive way through learning, and gaining knowledge and experience, will be on the recipient list of your amazing scholarship.