Elderly people of the Thai ethnic group go to school... to learn the Thai script.
Dinh Tuan•November 24, 2024 20:34
Driven by a desire to learn to read and write their ethnic language, Thai women in Yen Hoa commune, Tuong Duong district, a mountainous area, have been coming to the village cultural center daily to learn to read and write.
The Lai Pao script was created by the Thai people living along the Nam Non River. Over time, this script has been forgotten and is in danger of disappearing. However, for many years, with the attention of various levels of government and agencies, those who love the Lai Pao script have been diligently researching, collecting, and passing it on to future generations. Driven by the desire to learn to read and write their own script, despite their advanced age and declining health, for more than a month now, the elderly people of Thai Xieng Lip village, Yen Hoa commune, have regularly attended classes twice a day (morning and evening) to learn their ethnic script. Photo: Dinh TuanThe Lai Pao Thai script class is held at the Xieng Lip village cultural center in Yen Hoa commune. The class has nearly 40 students of various ages, mostly elderly women aged 60 to over 70. Photo: Dinh TuanThe instructor is Meritorious Artisan Vi Kham Mun, who has dedicated many years to his passion for the Thai script. He is also the author of numerous works collecting folk literature of the Thai community in Tuong Duong. This class is part of Project 6, National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Photo: Dinh TuanMs. Luong Thi Lien (born in 1945), residing in Xieng Lip village, Yen Hoa commune, said: “I am quite old now, but when I heard about the Lai Pao Thai script class, I immediately registered to attend. Attending class, I not only learn the script but also get to meet and chat with other women in the village, which makes me very happy.” (Photo: Dinh Tuan)The women meticulously write each stroke of the Lai Pao Thai script. Photo: Dinh Tuan.Once familiar with the alphabet, students will learn how to transcribe, combine letters, and translate. Photo: Dinh TuanDistinguished artisan Vi Kham Mun personally researched and compiled teaching materials to help students learn and remember easily. He said: “Learning the Lai Pao Thai script is quite difficult, and the students in this class are mainly elderly people, so in addition to compiling concise and succinct teaching materials, I always create a cheerful and lively atmosphere in class to avoid putting pressure on the learners and to stimulate their enthusiasm for learning.” Photo: Dinh TuanLai Pao Thai script class. Video: Dinh Tuan
