One summer day in 2009, Nguyen Thi Minh Tam was full of confidence after completing a trip to encourage students to return to class in the border district of Tan Hong, Dong Thap . Ironically, a truck with no brakes ran over her, taking her left leg, which was only 23 years old at the time.
The lotus stands strong in the wind and frost
"In the middle of a distant border in the dry season/ The disaster of life cuts through dreams..." That pain, a thousand words cannot describe. "She felt like she was falling into an abyss. The future? - a question without an answer", Tam recalled, telling the writer, her voice filled with the pain of that fateful day.
Escaping the scythe of death, she faced a weak body and excruciating pain, sometimes thinking of giving up. However, deep in the heart of the writer, the flame of passion still smoldered. "If I give in to my weakness, I will collapse", the strong self-talk lifted her up from the depths of despair.
Tam began to collect love from his mother, friends, colleagues and students to "build" the remaining leg to make it stronger.
In 2010, Ms. Tam moved to work as an office worker at Thien Ho Duong High School (Dong Thap province). With her deep love for her "century-long career", Ms. Tam earnestly sent a request to the principal: "I would like to return and stand here/ Even though one foot is still cold in the changing season... Please travel to my homeland one more time/ With words, clothes, food and poor students who drop out of school".
With her teaching talent, the "soul engineer" completely convinced the school's leadership and quickly won the hearts of students with her passionate lectures. "The first time I stood on the podium again, I cried with happiness" - Ms. Tam confided.
Ms. Linh, the head of the subject group, commented: "I feel the burning desire to contribute in Ms. Tam. Each class hour of hers, more than just a lecture, is also a living example for students to follow."
Since then, Ms. Tam has officially become a "new normal" teacher full of determination, excellent in teaching, many years of being an excellent teacher, completing a master's degree in mathematics and a bachelor's degree in English. Ms. Tam is the one who strongly inspires many young people, colleagues, and students to study English diligently, even though it is not her main expertise.
Ms. Tam is proof that no matter how harsh life is, a strong heart and a desire to contribute can light up any path. As many people have commented: "With Ms. Tam, it seems like nothing is impossible". The writer would like to affectionately call Ms. Minh Tam "the one-legged teacher" - a resilient lotus blooming in the wind and frost, spreading its fragrance in the poor frontier land.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Tam is happy to stand on the podium, sowing dreams for students.
Sow the seeds of kindness
Empathizing with the hardships of poor students, weighed down by their clear eyes burning with a thirst for knowledge, Ms. Tam's heart ached. With the desire to give wings to those unfinished dreams, in 2022, she founded "Nhat Tam Scholarship" - a journey to "sow the seeds of kindness".
Students who overcome difficulties and study well when receiving scholarships not only receive financial support but also receive the wholehearted support of Ms. Tam to cultivate life skills, improve English and practice volunteerism.
After 3 years of implementation, "Nhat Tam" has awarded scholarships to 128 students, worth 640 million VND. Ms. Tam also awarded more than 200 health insurance cards to students, 140 ao dai sets, textbooks, school supplies... These telling numbers have opened up learning opportunities for hundreds of poor students.
"Thanks to Ms. Tam, I can continue studying to develop myself - something I only dared to dream of before. Learning from her the value of perseverance and not giving up in the face of difficulties, I have come closer to escaping poverty" - a student named Manh shared with emotion. Or like Lam, who dropped out of school after grade 9 due to difficulties, she was encouraged and supported with a scholarship by her teacher. Now, she works as a Grab driver while studying at the Binh Chanh District Continuing Education Center, but she studies very well.
Each scholarship is a bridge to extend dreams that seem to be broken. With all her heart, Ms. Tam has created "Nhat Tam" into a "nursery" where students continue to give kind things. Since then, under her watering, many "flowers of charity" have bloomed, adding color to life.
Volunteering with Ms. Tam, everyone learns kindness in their thoughts, words and even the smallest actions. Learning from her, people not only learn to love people, love life but also love the things that are not as expected.
Not only that, Ms. Minh Tam also devoted herself to implementing the annual "Exam Support" program, supporting thousands of meals and more than 30,000 essential items to help students in the province pass the exam.
More than just a teacher, Ms. Tam has inspired the younger generation to continue the journey of kindness, creation and spreading in the community. I think this is something that not every teacher has enough passion and determination to do.
Ms. Tam's kindness also extends to other vulnerable groups. She has established a monthly support program for 7 orphaned students due to the COVID-19 pandemic and mobilized to build houses for poor but studious students with a total budget of more than 150 million VND, creating stable conditions for their lives and studies.
From the podium to community activities, Ms. Tam has left a deep impression on her colleagues and society. Mr. Minh Tri, Vice Principal of Thien Ho Duong High School, proudly said: "Ms. Tam is a very determined teacher, helping many students, especially those in difficult circumstances, realize their dreams. It is an honor that on April 14, 2025, the Minister of Education and Training came to present a certificate of merit to Ms. Tam, this is a great joy for the school."
Ms. Tam is like a resilient lotus, rising above adversity, inspiring and touching the hearts of many generations. She is not only a dedicated teacher, but also quietly sows kindness to make the world around her more brilliant.
A shining example of the spirit of overcoming difficulties
Ms. Tam was honored with: A shining example of the spirit of overcoming difficulties in teaching and education (2025), Emulation fighter at the grassroots level (2020, 2022), Commemorative medal for the cause of building and developing the Vietnam Association of Former Teachers (2022), Outstanding overcoming difficulties in studying and working in the period 2016-2020, Each teacher is an example of morality, self-study and creativity in the period 2008-2018...
Source: https://nld.com.vn/bai-du-thi-cuoc-thi-viet-nguoi-thay-kinh-yeu-gop-yeu-thuong-vuot-len-nghich-canh-196250601203115534.htm
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