YEAR 11 student at St James College, Spring Hill, K’Chin has received the prestigious Queensland Education and Training International (QETI) award for the International Student of the Year for 2010.
The award was presented by the Parliamentary Secretary for Trade Michael Choi at the QETI awards ceremony at Customs House recently.
K’Chin began his formal education as a student at St James’ in 2009 but his story up to this time has been remarkable.
He was brought to Australia from his small mountain village in the Da Lat region of South Vietnam in September 2002 by Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC). He was 13 years old and in urgent need of medical attention due to severe injuries to his right leg in an accident as a baby.
Between 2002 and 2008 K’Chin underwent 16 operations on his leg as well as a number of other procedures. Through his Brisbane host family and at the Royal Children’s Hospital School, K’Chin learned to speak, read and write English.
In 2006 K’Chin returned to Vietnam. When it was clear that his family was unable to support him, he was sent to Phaolo Convent, a Catholic orphanage in Lai Thieu, Southern Vietnam.
Although baptised a Catholic, K’Chin only started to learn about his faith at the convent when he began studies for receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Being one of the two eldest children in the orphanage he was given a degree of responsibility for many of the younger children there.
In 2007, due to complications with his leg, he returned to Brisbane for further surgery. His Brisbane homestay family were and are his constant support, giving him the love every child needs.
Living at New Farm, K’Chin began attending Mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral. He particularly enjoyed the youth Masses each month and being part of the youth Mass choir.
He also became good friends with Fr Paul Chandler, who was then ministering at the cathedral. K’Chin also attended Mass at Holy Spirit Church, New Farm, and enjoyed meeting a wide variety of people with both different and similar interests as his.
Having the opportunity to form friendships through the Church has been a positive part of K’Chin’s journey.
“My faith has always been important for me and has helped me to overcome many challenges and struggles in my life,” K’Chin said.
“I feel that God has always been on my side even during very dark and frightening times. My faith gives me a sense of peace and enables me to reflect on ways I can help out in the community.”
K’Chin is an ambassador for ROMAC and he has given a number of presentations in order to raise support for the program.
In 2007 he received Rotary’s highest award, The Paul Harris Fellowship, for services to ROMAC, for service to the community and to Vietnamese patients and parents at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Mater Hospital.
K’Chin is a well liked and respected member of the St James community. He is a highly active member of the college, representing his school at the Commonwealth Day at Queensland Parliament and the Youth Peace Parliament.
He is a committed participant in the St James Brekky Van program, serving breakfast and offering companionship to the homeless and destitute within Brisbane at Kurilpa Park.
His outstanding leadership qualities have seen him recently appointed as school captain for 2011, a position in which he will lead with humility, compassion, a quiet strength and dignity.
K’Chin’s long-term goal is to work in information technology and to one day be in a position to return to Vietnam to help the Vietnamese people. He is a young man of enormous courage, endurance and compassion and an inspiration to all who know him.
– Naomi Ritchie
Assistant to the Principal,
St James College
