Teacher teaches poor students for free for 25 years

For over 25 years, teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong (46 years old, residing in Hoa Thuan Dong ward, Da Nang city) has been diligently imparting literacy to many generations of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Ms. Kim Cuong always teaches the children with dedication - Photo: THANH THUY

Born into a disadvantaged family, Pham Thi Kim Cuong received free education from her teacher. From then on, she nurtured the dream of becoming a teacher herself, with the aspiration of opening a charity class to provide free education for underprivileged students.

Ms. Kim Cuong's students are from disadvantaged backgrounds; their parents are low-income workers who lack the time to tutor and support their children after school.

The teacher helps underprivileged students realize their dreams.

Ms. Kim Cuong is currently a literature teacher at Kim Dong Secondary School (Da Nang City). Despite her busy schedule, she still manages to find time to teach at the charity class.

Speaking about her journey of teaching underprivileged children, she feels it is a meaningful endeavor in her life.

"I am very happy to help these children. I am delighted to see them studying diligently and making progress every day. Even though they have grown up and become adults, many of the children I mentored still regularly contact me and share about their lives. That is what makes me happiest; I feel that my work is meaningful to the community and it motivates me to continue to be involved with disadvantaged students," she shared.

In previous years, Ms. Kim Cuong used her private home as a classroom, but with dedication and a desire to teach more students, in 2023 she asked the People's Committee of Hoa Thuan Dong Ward (Hai Chau District) for support in expanding her classroom space.

With the help of a suitable teaching location, she persuaded her husband to invest in desks, chairs, a blackboard, a TV, etc., to make the classroom more presentable.

She contacted her colleagues, inviting teachers to participate in teaching at the charity class, and everyone enthusiastically agreed. Thanks to this, the free class was expanded and named "Wings of Dreams".

The class teaches three subjects: mathematics, literature, and English to students from grades 6 to 9, with regular lessons on Saturday and Sunday mornings every week.

Currently, the "Wings of Dreams" class is held at two locations: the Cultural, Sports and Community Learning Center of Hai Chau 2 Ward (Hai Chau District) and the Community Cultural Center of Hoa Thuan Dong Ward (Hai Chau District).

In addition, during the summer, Ms. Kim Cuong and other teachers organize skill-building classes for the children, such as swimming, martial arts, and chess.

Besides the three subjects of mathematics, literature, and English, the class also organizes skills training sessions such as swimming and martial arts… - Photo: THANH THUY

"A second home"

His mother left when he was young, and his father works as a security guard and is often away from home, so for Ly Thien Bao (a 7th-grade student at Kim Dong Secondary School), Ms. Kim Cuong's charity class is like his second home.

"I've been studying here for almost two years, and I always look forward to the weekends so I can come to class with my friends. Studying here is fun and easy to understand. The teachers here are excellent and enthusiastic. Thanks to them, my literature grades have improved significantly. I'm very grateful to my teachers," Thien Bao said.

Having been taught by teacher Kim Cương at a charity class, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu (30 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City) shared: "Knowing my difficult circumstances, she taught me for free. She also helped and encouraged me a lot during my studies. Although many years have passed, I will always remember and be grateful for her kindness."

Teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong has been diligently teaching underprivileged students for the past 25 years - Photo: THANH THUY

As the person who directly contacted Ms. Kim Cuong to ask her to teach the children in her ward, Ms. Thi Thi Hai - president of the Women's Union of Hai Chau 2 ward, Hai Chau district, greatly admired the meaningful work and the teacher's heart for the children in difficult circumstances.

"Ms. Kim Cuong is a talented and dedicated teacher. She teaches the children completely free of charge without expecting anything in return. I hope there will be many more people with hearts like Ms. Kim Cuong to help many underprivileged children," Ms. Hai said.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/co-giao-25-nam-day-mien-phi-cho-hoc-tro-ngheo-20241213110906869.htm