The hearts of those who 'sow letters'

"Support" to help poor students

The cool breeze carrying cold air has swept into the villages, poor families are saving every penny to buy warm clothes for their children. However, there are fathers and mothers who, due to their own circumstances, cannot provide for their children. Unable to bear the sight of their students in need, with salaries barely enough to cover expenses, many teachers have become reluctant “beggars”.

That is, these teachers seek to contact philanthropists andvolunteer groupto "ask" for gifts for poor students. Among them, we must mention the silent but loving work of those who work as "sowers of letters" in the Ngoc Lam resettlement area (Thanh Chuong).

Thanks to the connection with volunteer groups of teachers, many poor students of Huong Tien Primary School, Ngoc Lam Commune (Thanh Chuong) have enough books and clothes to go to class. Photo: Cong Kien

ArriveNgoc Lam communeAfter the days of flood, the lives of the people here are gradually returning to normal. In the cold wind of the first season, most of the Thai and Khmu children have warm clothes to go to school and withstand the harsh winter that is approaching.

Mr. Luong Van Nhat - Deputy Secretary of the Commune Party Committee said: "Many poor families who cannot afford to buy warm clothes, books and bicycles for their children have been given gifts by teachers and volunteer groups. Thanks to that, parents have one less worry, and students can go to school with peace of mind."

Then, Mr. Nhat told the story of Lo May Tung in Tan Lam village, a 3rd grade student at Huong Tien Primary School. His mother disappeared when May Tung was very young, his father was not mentally sound, and he hardly knew how to work to make a living, so he had to rely on his grandmother to take care of him. His grandmother was also old and weak, life was extremely difficult and hard, the small house was dilapidated and there was no money to repair it, let alone take care of his education.

Having enough books and clothes, poor students in Ngoc Lam commune are always happy and confident in studying and communicating. Photo: Cong Kien

Due to the hardships of life, May Tung did not attend class regularly in previous school years, sometimes missing 2-3 days a week. The homeroom teacher and teachers at the school went to her house to find out about her situation, contributed money to help her grandmother buy rice, food, blankets, mattresses and called on benefactors to support her. With the enthusiastic help of the teachers, this school year May Tung has attended class regularly, her eyes always showing joy and excitement.

Along with Lo May Tung, the situation of sisters Vi Sao Anh (a junior high school student) and Vi Thi Ngoc Nhi (a primary school student) is no less tragic. Sao Anh and Ngoc Nhi's father passed away 2 years ago, and shortly after, their grandfather also passed away. Their maternal hometown is in My Ly commune (Ky Son), so there are almost no relatives left for Luong Thi May, the mother of the two children, to rely on, not to mention she also has to raise a cousin who no longer has parents.

Teachers in Ngoc Lam commune (Thanh Chuong) always learn and understand the students' circumstances, and are ready to help poor students. Photo: Cong Kien

There was a time when May went to Laos to work, and the children had to move to their uncle's house to live temporarily. This situation made it difficult for them to concentrate on their studies. Fortunately, teachers helped them, bought them bicycles, clothes, books, and benefactors came to their house to give them gifts.

“The whole commune has more than 1,000 preschool, primary and secondary school students, of which about 70% are children of poor and near-poor families. Children with especially difficult circumstances have been and are being cared for and helped by the Party Committee, government and teachers of the schools by calling for and connecting with volunteer groups to support them materially and spiritually.”

Mr. Luong Van Nhat - Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Ngoc Lam Commune (Thanh Chuong)

Volunteer "Ambassadors"

According to Mr. Dau Dinh Duc - Principal of Huong Tien Primary School, the life of people in the resettlement area of ​​Ngoc Lam commune is still facing many difficulties and shortages. The main reason is that there is little land for production and no side jobs, so the source of income is both low and unstable.

Students with especially difficult circumstances are always helped by teachers at Huong Tien Primary School, Ngoc Lam Commune (Thanh Chuong). Photo: Cong Kien

Some people leavefamily, villages, go to far away places to make a living but mainly do manual labor so the income is not high. Not to mention families that are sick, in trouble or have people involved in drug trafficking, transportation and use, all of which affect the education and future of children.

For students whose family circumstances are too difficult and difficult, and whose children are at risk of dropping out of school, school leaders and teachers always coordinate to help. The Board of Directors of kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools assign homeroom teachers and teachers in remote areas to learn about and understand the students' circumstances and needs for help. When they have complete and accurate information, teachers and staff in the Board of Directors find ways to connect with benefactors and volunteer groups to support.

Philanthropists give gifts to poor students in Ngoc Lam commune (Thanh Chuong). Photo: Cong Kien

Usually through friendships and volunteer groups and associations on social networks, teachers provide information and images about students' circumstances, creating trust. Then, the benefactors will either directly go to their homes to deliver money and gifts or send them to the locality for teachers to help deliver. Since the beginning of the school year, dozens of volunteer groups have helped poor students in Ngoc Lam commune. Thanks to that, many students have enough books, paper, pens and clothes, especially warm clothes, to go to school.

The joy of poor students in Ngoc Lam commune (Thanh Chuong) when receiving warm clothes. Photo: Cong Kien

Along with Mr. Duc, in Ngoc Lam, Mr. Hoang Kim Cuong - Principal of Secondary School, Ms. Duong Thuy Song - Vice Principal of Kindergarten and many other teachers are considered volunteer "ambassadors". Because, thanks to the connection of teachers, manypoor studenthas been motivated to overcome difficult circumstances and move steadily on the path of learning.

“As people who have worked for many years in difficult areas, we understand better than anyone the hardships and deprivations of the students here. We often encourage each other to do well in teaching and care for, help and share with poor students, becoming “beggars” for our students.”

Mr. Hoang Kim Cuong - Principal of Huong Tien Secondary School, Ngoc Lam Commune (Thanh Chuong)

Teachers at Huong Tien Kindergarten, Ngoc Lam Commune (Thanh Chuong) fold clothes sent by volunteer groups to give to poor students. Photo: Cong Kien

Not only in Ngoc Lam commune, many teachers working in mountainous and border districts such as Mr. Nguyen Ho Quang (Tay Son - Ky Son), Ms. Vi Thi Hien (Nhon Mai - Tuong Duong), and Ms. Dinh Thi Ha (Chau Khe - Con Cuong) ... have performed well the role of connecting volunteer groups with poor students. This work comes from the hearts of those who "sow letters" in difficult lands, is a heart of tolerance and love for children, is a passion, a sense of responsibility for the cause of educating people.

Mr. Vi Van Tuyen - Secretary of the Party Committee of Ngoc Lam commune said: "Thanks to the enthusiasm in connecting teachers, many organizations, individuals and volunteer groups have come to share difficulties with poor people and students in the area. The cadres and people of Ngoc Lam commune acknowledge and are grateful for the hearts of teachers for this land with many difficulties".