Retired teacher sets up 'Giving for Children' fund, lighting up hope for hundreds of poor students

Since retiring, Ms. Lan has not chosen a life of ease but continues to “devote herself” to helping poor students. Helping them has become her motivation to live a meaningful life.

Teacher Thai Thi Lan (born in 1958, residing in Nam Dong Ha ward, Quang Tri ) is a Math teacher, dedicating nearly half of her life to the podium. She taught for 23 years at Nguyen Du Secondary School, then held the position of vice principal for 9 years at Hieu Giang Secondary School and Nguyen Trai Secondary School. During 20 years of training excellent Math students in the old Dong Ha city, she left many impressions with her dedication and devotion to her students.

The teacher awarded two scholarships to two orphaned students in Ai Tu commune, Quang Tri province. Photo: NVCC

During her time working, she met many orphans or students living in poor conditions. Feeling sorry for the children who had to “work hard to make ends meet”, Ms. Lan took them home, took care of their meals and clothes, supported their living expenses and taught them free tutoring.

From those quiet actions, she mobilized her colleagues to set up a teachers' club to contribute funds to help poor students have more motivation to go to school.

The concern for the unfortunate fates has always tormented the compassionate teacher. “If the students still have to worry about food and clothing, how can they study with peace of mind?”, she said. From then on, she wished for a long-term, sustainable source of funds to support students.

The teacher and her colleagues in a charity program. Photo: NVCC

In 2013, she retired. In December 2018, she officially established the “For Children” fund. Talking about this special yet simple name, she said it came from the heart of a mother of three children and a teacher who understands the needs of orphans.

Every month, she deducts 10% of her pension to maintain the fund. Since then, the number of former students and many philanthropists has increased. “There were situations where, as soon as I posted the article, former students competed to receive support for all four years of university. Those were good fortunes that made me smile and feel young again,” she said emotionally.

Over the past 7 years, the “Cho con” fund has supported more than 500 orphaned and disadvantaged students. 482 scholarships worth 10 million VND each have been awarded regularly. Some special cases have received scholarships up to 5 times in a row, even for 10 years until graduation. Many other students have been called upon by her to support 500,000-1,000,000 VND/month for many years.

Not only does she give scholarships, Ms. Lan is also a bridge between benefactors and poor students, donating books, food, warm clothes, and laptops. The Fund also gives hundreds of bicycles and electric bicycles to students in disadvantaged areas, helps teachers with serious illnesses, and supports home repairs for students’ families in distress.

The teacher handed over the donation to a disadvantaged person in the area. Photo: NVCC

One of the stories that the teacher will always remember is Phan Khanh Duyen (a student majoring in Tourism , Hue University of Foreign Languages). She comes from a poor family and has been sick since childhood. She and her mother live with her grandparents who are over 70 years old.

Knowing this situation, the teacher raised funds and gave her a scholarship for all four years of college. Currently, Duyen has graduated and has a stable job.

Duyen said: “During my university years, there were times when I wanted to stop, but thanks to Ms. Lan and the 'Cho con' fund, I continued, graduated, got a stable job and have the life I have today.”

From the time she was working until she was involved in volunteer activities, teacher Lan has always been recognized with many certificates of merit from the education sector and related units.

Every Tet or November 20, her house is filled with laughter when many generations of students come to visit. That space is always filled with wishes and simple yet warm spiritual gifts - the gratitude that hundreds of students send to the teacher who guided them through the most uncertain period of their childhood.

Ms. Lan wishes to maintain the “Cho Con” fund until her health no longer allows. “As long as I can help one child, I will continue,” she smiled gently.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/co-giao-ve-huu-lap-quy-cho-con-thap-hy-vong-cho-hang-tram-hoc-tro-ngheo-2464203.html