Join hands to eliminate illiteracy in border areas

In Tuyen Binh commune, Tay Ninh province, the literacy class of border guards has opened up opportunities for Vietnamese children returning from Cambodia who have never been to school to hold chalk and write their first words.

Classroom lights shine in the middle of the border forest

When the sun sets behind the border forest, the small room at Tuyen Binh Border Guard Station is lit up.

Tuyen Binh border guards always want to bring letters so that children have the minimum knowledge, confidence to integrate and have a better future. Photo: VH

Inside, the sounds of spelling echoed. Vietnamese children who had returned from Cambodia and had never been to school, now held chalk to write their first letters.

In this border area, many Vietnamese children are undocumented, stateless, and not accepted into public schools. They grow up feeling disadvantaged and are easily drawn into crime.

With the responsibility of a border guard soldier, Lieutenant Colonel Vu Manh Ha - Political Commissar of Tuyen Binh Border Guard Station said: "We cannot stand aside. Soldiers not only protect the land and sky, but also protect the future for the children."

This is the reason why Tuyen Binh Border Guard Station opened literacy classes for children here.

The literacy class of Tuyen Binh border guards is lit up every night. Photo: VH

The class was opened under many difficulties: temporary classrooms, borrowed desks and chairs, and a lack of materials. The soldiers, who were both patrolling the border and teachers, taught classes every night from 6pm to 8pm, five days a week.

Despite the hardship, Captain Dau Duc Hoai - Head of the Mass Mobilization Team shared that seeing the children's eyes light up when they learn to read and write gives them more motivation.

Children who were shy when entering class on the first day now know how to read and write. Photo: VH

In the early days, many children entered with timid eyes. But after just a few lessons, their bewilderment turned into excitement. From the scribbled letters “a, b, c”, they gradually learned to write their names.

Captain Hoai recalled: “When we saw the little boy holding a pen and tremblingly writing his own name, the whole class clapped enthusiastically. We were choked up, all our hardships seemed to disappear.”

From classroom to new life

Not stopping at teaching, the Border Guard Station also mobilized donors to support books, clothes, and food; coordinated with the government to help the children's families stabilize their housing and access medical services to gradually integrate into life.

Border guard becomes teacher to teach children in border areas. Photo: VH

According to Mr. Vo Hong Linh - Vice Chairman of Tuyen Binh Commune People's Committee, this is a very humane and timely initiative. The class not only provides knowledge, but also affirms the spirit of "leaving no one behind", helping to improve people's knowledge, strengthen border security and strengthen solidarity between the army and people.

Mr. Linh said that the locality is coordinating with the authorities to review and prepare documents to gradually resolve the paperwork issue for children of Vietnamese origin. The goal is for them to have full rights like other citizens, from education , health care to employment.

The class not only provides knowledge, but also affirms the spirit of "leaving no one behind". Photo: VH

Ms. Huynh Thi Lien, mother of Vo Duc Dat, recalls the days of worry when her son had no papers and could not be accepted into public school. Watching him grow up illiterate, her family felt extremely sad and sorry for their fate.

The day her child first wrote his name, Ms. Lien could not hold back her tears. From a shy, self-conscious child, her child has now become bolder and more confident. Her whole family felt like a new door had been opened.

From a small room on the border, the classroom lights are still on every night. With the perseverance of the soldiers, the support of the government and the love of the community, the literacy class in Tuyen Binh is sowing the seeds for the future.

Nguyen Hoai

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/chung-tay-xoa-mu-chu-noi-vung-bien.html