'Pepper baby' makes hands and feet for friends to go to school

Tân khệ nệ mang 3 cái cặp, còn Phát cõng Lâm về nhà sau mỗi buổi học - Ảnh: HOÀNG TÁO — Tan struggled to carry 3 bags, while Phat carried Lam home after each class - Photo: HOANG TAO

Lam, Phat and Tan are all Van Kieu, studying in class 2A6 at Pa Nho school, Khe Sanh Primary School No. 1, Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri . Many teachers, students and parents call them the three "musketeer" boys, helping each other fight against illness and go to school to learn to read and write every day.

Difficult path of study and life

Eight years ago, Ho Thi E went into labor and gave birth to Lam, who was born with a congenital deformity in both legs. His left leg was bent forward toward his stomach, and his right leg was bent behind his back. Seeing that his youngest son was deformed, the father left and disappeared.

When he was two days old, he was transferred from the district hospital to the provincial hospital to have his legs casted and straightened. During the first year of his life, Lam was in the hospital to treat his legs. His mother also suffered from many illnesses, so all medical expenses were waived.

When she was over two years old, she was admitted to Hue Central Hospital for leg surgery. A non-governmental project sponsored the treatment costs, but the family had to take care of their own food and accommodation. After two months, her mother ran out of money and ran away from the hospital with her child.

Since then, her feet have been cramped and her knees cannot be straightened. When the weather changes, Lam often has a high fever, her legs are cold and aching. Sister E also suffers from many illnesses: colitis, cough and especially arthritis. The house is right in front of Pa Nho school, just a slope away, but sometimes Sister E cannot even walk to carry her child to class.

Lam's eldest brother went to work in Binh Duong , his second brother was sick, and his sister was about to get married. Lam's whole family depended on the tea garden. Sister E sold at Khe Sanh market, and when the price was good, she earned 50,000 VND, but sometimes she could bring home unsold tea.

Chattering on the way to school

The trio Lam, Tan and Phat have been friends since childhood and were in the same class when they entered elementary school. Phat was bigger than his peers so he carried the small, shrunken Lam on his back. Tan was shorter and agile, carrying three bags at the same time. The three friends walked, laughing and chatting away.

The school does not have a boarding school, so students go home for lunch at noon and go to class in the afternoon. Therefore, every day, Phat and Tan carry Lam to and from school four times a day for the morning and afternoon sessions. Not only that, Phat also carries him to the toilet, carries him to the yard to watch his friends play tag, jump rope, play soccer...

Sometimes, seeing Lam sitting alone and feeling sad, Tan and Phat would come over to chat and read books together. When Lam's legs hurt, the two friends would also help massage and rub his legs to relieve the pain.

After school, Phat carried Lam to the door, Tan brought his school bag in and then both of them went to their house at the end of block 6.

Panting, his face covered in sweat after carrying Lam home, Phat shyly said: "Carrying you to school is tiring but fun." Phat couldn't explain the joy, but his eyes lit up, his lips curved into a smile.

Meanwhile, Tan was more fluent, saying that both of them helped carry Lam to school, to the toilet, and back home. "I don't feel tired, on the contrary, I'm very happy because he can go to school and learn to read and write" - Tan said.

"Luckily, there were a few friends who helped me and lovingly carried Lam home when I went to work or when I was sick. I am very grateful to my friends and teachers for their sincere care and love for Lam. I am very happy, I don't know how to thank them," said Ho Thi E.

Ms. E said she will try her best to help Lam follow through with his studies, not giving up like his older siblings.

Ms. Ngo Thi Ninh, homeroom teacher of class 2A6, Pa Nho campus, Khe Sanh Primary School No. 1, Huong Hoa district, emotionally said that Phat and Tan carrying Lam to school every day is commendable.

"The work is very meaningful because it helps Lam feel happier, get along with his friends, and not be left behind compared to his classmates," Ms. Ninh said sadly.

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