[Photo] Braving the waves… spreading literacy in an oasis

NDO - Situated on hills rising amidst the Bản Vẽ hydroelectric reservoir, the villages of Cà Moong and Xốp Cháo (Lượng Minh commune, Tương Dương district, Nghệ An province) have become isolated islands. From the commune center, reaching these villages requires a nearly hour-long boat ride. Despite these difficulties, the teachers still regularly come to class to teach literacy to the children here.

Teacher Vi Thi Tam Luynh, from the Xop Chao branch school (Luong Minh Kindergarten), said: "The branch school has 32 students, 100% of whom are children of the Khmu ethnic minority. I and teacher Luong Thi Khanh Chi are in charge of this branch school. The only way to get here is by boat. If you go with others, each trip costs 30,000 dong. If you hire a private boat, it costs 300,000 dong per trip."

"On days with heavy rain and strong winds, sitting on the rocking boat is very scary. However, that doesn't mean I'm allowed to skip school, miss classes, or be late for class," shared teacher Vi Thi Tam Luynh.

Teacher Luong Thi Khanh Chi has been working at Xop Chao School for two years. "I live in the boarding school and only get to go home to my husband and two young children in Thach Giam town, Tuong Duong district, on weekends," said teacher Luong Thi Khanh Chi.

All the students are from the Khơ Mú ethnic minority.

The Bản Vẽ hydroelectric reservoir, with its vast expanse of water and towering mountains, has transformed the surrounding villages into isolated "islands," leaving the local people facing numerous difficulties and hardships.

At the beginning of the week, teachers will buy food from outside the commune center and bring it in to cook meals for the students, enough for a week.

Xop Chao Primary School has one first-grade and one second-grade class, with 29 students. Students from grades 3 to 5 must attend Luong Minh Ethnic Boarding Primary School in the center of the commune to be able to study the 2018 General Education Program.

This year marks the 14th year that teacher Lo Van Tuan has been dedicated to this school. “My home is in Thanh Son commune, Thanh Chuong district, nearly 200km away. On Friday afternoons, I take a boat from here to the Ban Ve hydroelectric power plant, then ride my motorbike home, and on Sunday afternoons I say goodbye to my wife and children to come back to be with the students.”

The Xop Chao primary school branch has two teachers in charge.

The Ca Moong village as seen from the Ban Ve hydroelectric reservoir.

It's no exaggeration to say that to reach Xop Chao and Ca Moong villages, one must cross "nine streams and ten mountain passes".

Source: https://nhandan.vn/anh-re-song-di-gieo-chu-noi-oc-dao-post856073.html