Say "no" to illiteracy.

(Baonghean) - This is Mr. La Van Sao, a Dan Lai man residing in Khe Bu village (Chau Khe - Con Cuong). In this remote mountainous area, there are families who don't have enough food or clothing, and many children are uneducated. Yet, Mr. Sao's family currently has two daughters attending university, a very rare occurrence in the Dan Lai community.

Having started his family from nothing and experienced years of hardship, he understands the poverty of this place better than anyone else. He believes a major reason for the villagers' continued poverty is "too little education." Because of this belief, he is determined to ensure his three children do not suffer from illiteracy. "No matter how poor we are as parents, we must ensure our children receive a proper education," he constantly reminds himself.

Mr. La Van Sao and his wild beehives.

Recalling the early days of sending his child to school, Mr. Sao couldn't help but feel emotional: "On the first day of taking our child to school far away, we didn't have enough money, so I discussed with my wife selling our bamboo garden. 40 clumps of bamboo, ready for harvest, only sold for 500,000 dong, just enough to pay for the bus fare to take our child to school..."

Those difficult days are now over. Thanks to their own efforts, they have become a relatively well-off family in the village. Mr. Sao's two eldest daughters are about to enter their final year of university; the eldest is studying Law at Vinh University, and the younger one is attending a Teacher Training College. "Seeing my children pass the university entrance exams, some families in Khe Bu village have become more aware of the importance of education. Someone in the village told me: 'Mr. Sao's family was so poor before, yet they managed to raise three children and send them to school; we should follow their example.'" The optimistic man smiled.

Ms. Lo Thi Van (Mr. Sao's wife) shared: "To earn 4 million dong each month for our three children's education, we have to work very hard. Every day, the two of us have to cross mountain passes, wade through streams, and trek through forests to cut bamboo and harvest bamboo shoots to dry and sell for money to pay for our children's food and schooling. In addition, Mr. Sao's family also grows acacia trees for raw materials and raises pigs to have enough money to cover expenses and provide for our children."

Khe Bu village is located about 40 km from the district center, with 149 households and 740 inhabitants, mainly of the Dai Lai ethnic group. Life here is particularly difficult; some families still lack food because they rely on hunting and gathering. Many children here, after finishing primary or secondary school, have to stay home to help their families earn a living. Therefore, the efforts of Mr. La Van Sao and Ms. Lo Thi Van's family are a valuable example for the Dai Lai community. They are among the rare individuals in the community who are determined to say "no" to illiteracy.

Phuong Lan - Huu Vi