It is known that in 2012, Nam Cha had a motorbike road, in 2014 there was a phone signal, the first car trip to the commune, and in 2016 there was electricity to light up. However, before that, there were still people who did not mind the hardship to bring the light of knowledge to this place.
Ms. Lai Thi Tinh at the ceremony to welcome the charity group to present the library to Nam Cha Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities, September 2019
PHOTO: LUONG DINH KHOA
Starting "lighting the fire" with hardships
Born and raised in Nam Dinh , young girl Lai Thi Tinh cherished the dream of spreading knowledge. She decided to apply and was admitted to Tay Bac Pedagogical College, and graduated in 1989. While her classmates, 40 people with the same starting point, were all looking for lands that promised a prosperous career, Lai Thi Tinh decided to go to the remote highland communes of Lai Chau.
Ms. Tinh recalled the first days of "beginning" in the highlands, which were vivid footage of hardships and challenges. "Back then, there were no roads, teachers had to walk nearly 100 km on remote trails, through deep forests and mountains. My feet were blistered, swollen, and aching with every step. At night, in the bitter cold of the mountains and forests, we had to sleep right along the road. At that time, I walked and cried, trying to follow the footsteps of my colleagues so as not to be left behind."
Simple living space, rainy days, sunny days of teachers in Muong Mo commune, Nam Nhun district, Lai Chau province
PHOTO: NVCC
It was not until the third day that the group finally reached the district center. But the journey did not stop there. From the district center to the commune was a long, winding road, with no roads for vehicles. The only way was to take a boat, weaving through the rapid, dangerous water currents. "There were sections where the water flowed so strongly that I did not dare sit on the boat and had to follow the edge of the forest, clinging to each tree trunk and rock to avoid being swept away," Ms. Tinh recalled, her voice filled with emotion.
Simple classroom in a strange land
Arriving in the land of the Thai people, the lowland teacher was like a blank sheet of paper, starting her journey to learn Thai, word by word, to be able to converse and communicate with the local people, especially with the children who still stuttered in Kinh. Ms. Tinh's classroom was simple to the point of being heartbreaking, built from available materials of the mountains and forests: thatched roof, bamboo walls. Three small rooms, one for the teacher, the other two for the children's study space. The desks were assembled from homemade pieces of wood, rustic and simple. The chairs were made from bamboo trees smashed into panels.
Memories of her first day in class, of her first lessons in the highlands, have become an indelible part of Ms. Tinh's mind. "At that time, students being late for school was a daily occurrence. Many of them were only in first grade but looked as mature as adults," Ms. Tinh recalled with a gentle smile. What made her both sad and amused was the way the students pronounced their words. "They lisped a lot, especially the Kinh syllables that they rarely came into contact with."
Students of Nam Cha Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities in the boarding area
PHOTO: LUONG DINH KHOA
There is one memory that she still cannot forget. That was when the students innocently sang a song that had been taught by their previous teachers. They sang: "Our class time, the Lord is afraid of books, books are quick, quick results. Holding the dry, hazy father, what can I give..." Ms. Tinh recounted, her eyes still shining with the surprise of that day.
The young teacher struggled, trying to string together each syllable and each word that the students uttered. After nearly half a day of racking her brain, Ms. Tinh suddenly burst into tears when she translated the lyrics of the song: "After school, let's put away our books, put away our books quickly, unite quickly. Holding a pen and ink, don't forget anything...". That was the first door that helped the lowland teacher enter the inner world of the highland students, opening up a meaningful journey of spreading knowledge.
Life in the highlands also challenges teacher Tinh because of the dangerous roads. Access to goods and food is almost a luxury, making necessities a constant burden. "From the district to the commune is more than 50 km, going by boat through the rapids is not safe, let alone carrying food. Therefore, teachers must try to do a good job of mass mobilization to have food to eat," Ms. Tinh shared.
In the summer, in the rainy month of May, instead of leisurely resting, Ms. Tinh walked all the way to Muong Lay town to catch a bus back to her hometown. Not to completely relax, but to prepare for a special "exchange". She carefully bought small items that the locals needed, such as hair clips and hair ties, and brought them to school to exchange for eggs and rice from the locals. The whole commune only had one small shop providing necessities, so everything was expensive. With a meager teacher's salary, every summer, Ms. Tinh still had to sadly ask her parents for money to bring to school, continuing her arduous and meaningful journey of spreading knowledge.
Ms. Lai Thi Tinh (right cover) during the gift giving ceremony for disadvantaged students at Nam Nhun High School, November 2023
PHOTO: NVCC
"Sweet fruit" of love in the border region
16 years of dedication to the career of educating people, 4 years of vocational training and nearly ten years of working for the Red Cross helped Ms. Lai Thi Tinh understand more deeply the life and people of Lai Chau, and at the same time train herself to become stronger and more mature.
Ms. Tinh said that happiness is not only seeing the maturity of the students but also the affection and attachment of the local people for the teachers. "The students and local people here are gentle, honest and affectionate. When they need support in terms of manpower for construction, cleaning, sanitation, building temporary bridges across the river... or any work, they participate very enthusiastically. Whether it is pumpkin, corn, potatoes, cassava grown at home, or the occasional crab or fish caught, no matter how little or much, they bring it to the teachers to contribute to taking care of the children," she excitedly recounted.
Looking back on the past, what makes Ms. Tinh feel most satisfied and proud is the maturity of the students of the past. From that simple school, many generations have risen up, becoming excellent citizens, contributing to building the homeland. Ms. Tinh could not hide her emotions when listing the names of her outstanding students: Lo Van Vuong - Chief of the Nam Nhun Procuracy. Po Pi Von - Head of the Nam Nhun District Justice Department, Ly My Ly - Head of the Muong Te District Education Department, Phung Ha Ca - Deputy Head of the Muong Te District Industry and Trade Department...
"Not only that, many of them are Party secretaries, commune chairmen or work at border posts," Ms. Tinh excitedly continued, adding: "Most of them have grown up, only a few of them could not continue their studies and returned home to start families. All of these things are truly very proud. Although being a teacher is difficult, no other profession can tell about one's pride like that."
Now, the road to Nam Cha is less difficult and dangerous than before. However, the journey of spreading knowledge in the Northwest highlands still has many challenges. However, the flames of enthusiasm and the silent dedication of teachers from the lowlands are still continuing, bringing the light of knowledge to students, giving wings to a brighter future.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/16-nam-bien-gian-nan-thanh-trai-ngot-noi-dai-ngan-lai-chau-185250715140943885.htm
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