Having met Uncle Ho, I must live a better life!
Nearly 55 years have passed since she first met President Ho Chi Minh, and that profound memory remains vividly etched in the mind of teacher Nong Thi Diem, who currently lives in Block 3, Con Cuong town, Con Cuong district (Nghe An province).
Ms. Diem recounted that it was in November 1955 that President Ho Chi Minh visited the Central Mountain Region Teacher Training School. At that time, the school was located in Cua Bac, Hanoi. Ms. Diem was a student there. Although she only met President Ho Chi Minh for a brief moment, it was the greatest happiness of her life, a memory she will never forget!
Ms. Nong Thi Diem, a Tay ethnic minority woman from Bach Thong district, Bac Can province, was one of the first students of the Central Mountainous Region Teacher Training School. She recounted that when they met President Ho Chi Minh, all the students were moved to silence. He affectionately inquired about their studies, showed great concern for the ethnic minority students, and urged them to study hard and, after graduation, use their knowledge to share with their communities.
The President said, in essence, that the ethnic minority people in the mountainous areas, due to difficulties and isolation, have limited access to education, and the Party and State must pay more attention to them... Following the President's teachings, after graduating, she followed her husband to Con Cuong mountainous district to teach.
Throughout her 33-year career, Ms. Diem always dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her profession. She held various positions, including Deputy Principal of the Nghe An Mountain Teacher Training School; Principal of Bong Khe Commune Primary and Secondary School; and Deputy Head of the Con Cuong District Education Department until her retirement in 1991.
Within her family, she was an exemplary wife, mother, and grandmother. She raised six children who excelled in their studies. Following her example, her children are now directors of the Central Vietnam Power Company, doctors, teachers, and civil servants... They strive to perform their assigned duties well.
Even in her old age, Mrs. Diem maintained a simple and peaceful life, getting along well with her neighbors. Now, every summer, she focuses on teaching her grandchildren. Thanks to her dedicated guidance, her grandchildren usually have a solid grasp of the subject matter at the beginning of each school year, and all of them are excellent students.
In the village, she helped any struggling family by lending them capital to start businesses. She personally funded the construction of a 23-meter-long drainage ditch to keep the neighborhood clean and well-ventilated. She also encouraged her son to contribute money to build a welcome gate for the neighborhood. For many years, her family has consistently been recognized as a model cultural family of the district and has been selected to attend the Cultural Family Congress in Nghe An province.
Nearly 55 years have passed since then, yet the image of the nation's leader, our beloved Father, remains etched in Mrs. Diem's heart and mind. This Tay ethnic woman met Uncle Ho twice and had her picture taken with him twice. She carefully preserves those two photos and displays them proudly in her home!
Phung Van Mui
