“Carrying books” to poor children

“Good books for primary school students” is a project that Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Hien (63 years old), a former teacher at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted (Ho Chi Minh City) and her colleagues initiated in 2016. After nearly 10 years, the project has gone through many provinces and cities across the country, tirelessly bringing nearly 800,000 books to thousands of schools, helping students have more channels to access books, contributing to lighting up their dreams.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Hien in a program of the Good Books Project for primary school students.

On the occasion of launching the book "Go for it so that a life is not in vain", recording her past journeys in the Good Book Project for primary school students, Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Hien shared with Dong Nai Weekend her thoughts and concerns.

A long journey begins with love

* In what circumstances was the Good Books for Primary School Students project born, ma'am?

- We carry out this project with the aspiration to light up students' dreams; to avoid "dropping" the reading culture.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Hien

In 2016, when we returned to Quang Binh province (old) after the historic flood, in addition to the relief gifts from volunteer groups, books were also especially necessary for students at that time. I still remember the image of teachers coming in the rain to receive books and returning in the middle of the vast sea of ​​water. It was pitiful, but pity without doing anything would be useless, pity must be turned into action... And just like that, we went to many schools one by one. Many people joined hands, contributed their efforts or contributed their hearts so that the journey of giving books to children in remote areas could continue.

* After many years of implementing the Good Books for Primary School Students Project, what is the most memorable thing for you and your colleagues, ma'am?

- What remains most deeply in my heart is the joy from the eyes of children when holding a good book in their hands. It is not only an instant joy but also a seed sown in the soul, so that children have more imagination, more knowledge and more compassion. For me and my companions, each trip not only brings books to children but also brings back a treasure trove of emotions - human love in distant lands. The most memorable thing is to witness the quiet but lasting change in students' reading habits and the companionship of teachers after those trips.

* In reality, there are many issues to be discussed regarding textbooks for students (in addition to textbooks for the major classes). Through the process of implementing the project in schools, what are your concerns, worries and wishes for the State, society and community to join hands to implement, madam?

- My biggest concern is that in many places, school libraries are only beautiful in form but lack the soul of books. Some schools are well-invested, but the books are poor and not suitable for the age of students. Some places accept donated books, but they are mainly old books, or books that are not attractive, with bland content... I hope that the State, the community and businesses will join hands to build a truly vibrant library system: with good books, people to introduce interesting books, and regular reading promotion activities.

A book in the right place at the right time can change a child's destiny and that is why I earnestly hope for consistency and longevity in this.

Go all out to make your life worthwhile.

* The journey of “carrying books” to children in remote areas - spreading knowledge with love and belief in shared knowledge needs accompaniment and continuation. There needs to be more than one program, what do you expect from the continuation of young people?

- I believe that today's young generation has a very kind heart and a strong commitment. I hope you will continue programs like this not out of pity but out of a belief: knowledge is the most sustainable way out of poverty. When young people step out of their comfort zone and go to the remotest villages, they will see that giving books is not just giving but also receiving - receiving maturity, gratitude and a deeper love for the country. I hope to have more young hands "carrying books", so that the call for knowledge can resonate far and wide, not only today but also in the future.

Over the past 10 years, the Good Books for Primary School Students Project has organized more than 155 seminars and exchanges to inspire teachers and students with the slogan “I love books”. More than 3,400 primary schools across the country have received donated books, bringing knowledge to more than 1,24 million students, especially those in disadvantaged areas.

* You have just released the book "Go for it so that your life will not be in vain", which can be said to be a record of your trips. Reflecting on yourself, was that journey complete for you?

- If I were to say it all, I probably wouldn't, because I still have many things I want to do, many places I want to go, and out of hundreds of trips, I've only recounted 5.

But every page I write is a real slice of the journey of nearly 10 years, with 155 trips, with laughter, tears, pain and happiness. This book is not to boast but to preserve a part of the memory, so that when I look back, I see: I have traveled, I have loved, I have lived a life that was not in vain.

* Books only go 1/3 of the way. How to make students love reading and understand books, that is the most difficult thing, so what do you recommend on this issue, teacher?

- Yes, bringing books to school is just the beginning. What is more important is how to get books into the hearts of children.

That is how students must read books, so that they see reading as a joy, not an obligation. Teachers must be role models for reading books and know how to inspire through each book introduction. To make students love books, it is necessary to create reading movements and playgrounds such as: story telling competitions based on books, book reading clubs, open library spaces... so that each book becomes a "living friend" of students. So that books go deep into students' minds, penetrate deeply and spread into action.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thu Hien signed the book "Go for it, make a life worth living" for readers.

Each book must be read several times to absorb and assimilate. The pages of a book become pages of real life. This is very important. In the past, our ancestors had few books, but the bachelors and bachelors were very profound and erudite, because they read deeply and thought carefully. Nowadays, many children only read books, skimming through them, reading dozens of books but not retaining much.

I believe that when teachers and the community work together, the love of books in children will blossom naturally and sustainably.

To me, books have never been just paper and ink. They are bridges of knowledge, lights of the way and seeds of the future.

* Thank you very much!

Vuong The (performed)

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202510/cong-sach-den-voi-tre-em-ngheo-1d91bae/