Providing free education for underprivileged children.

For the past 30 years, the charity class in Nguyen Du hamlet, My Binh ward, Long Xuyen city, An Giang province, has helped thousands of disadvantaged children learn to read, write, do math, improve their handwriting, and develop their morals.

Students at Mrs. Thuy's charity class.

Driven by the realization that many impoverished children in the local area lacked the means to attend school, in 1995, Mr. Nguyen Huu Thoi (Ba Thoi) – a veteran – decided to establish a charity class. Initially, the class only had 3-4 students, but thanks to Mr. Ba Thoi's persistent efforts and the effectiveness of the education , the number of students gradually increased. Some parents, seeing the benefits and significance of the class – that their children were well-behaved, diligent, and obedient – ​​voluntarily enrolled their children.

After many years of dedication to the class, due to old age and declining health, Mr. Ba Thoi could no longer directly teach, instead handing over the management and teaching responsibilities to Ms. Phan Thu Thuy. Although not formally trained in pedagogy, Ms. Thuy persevered in researching and applying suitable teaching methods, helping the children easily absorb knowledge. Many philanthropists also came forward, joining hands to maintain the charity class to this day.

For over 15 years, Ms. Thuy has diligently guided the children in learning to read and write, taught them arithmetic, sang songs, and told them fairy tales and fables. It is her love for children that motivates her to persistently teach them to write, and to actively seek out donations to provide them with notebooks, books, pens, and neat uniforms for school.

"I didn't attend a teacher training school, but I taught catechism for many years at a church in Long Xuyen City. When I followed in Uncle Thoi's footsteps to maintain the class, I also researched teaching methods to make it easier for the children to understand," Ms. Thuy shared.

Besides Ms. Thuy, the class also has several volunteers, including students from An Giang University and retired teachers, who assist with teaching. This has given the children in the poor neighborhood more motivation and spirit to strive in their studies every day. The oldest in the class is Nguyen Hong Nhung, 24 years old. Ms. Nhung has a mobility disability and has never been to school. Although she learns slower than her classmates, thanks to attending Ms. Thuy's class for many years, Ms. Nhung has become more confident, cheerful, and able to read, write, and do calculations.

Nguyen Van Phong (16 years old, residing in Long Xuyen City) shared: “My family is poor, and I didn't have the opportunity to go to school, so I was illiterate. Thanks to Ms. Thuy, I can now read, write, and do calculations, and I no longer feel inferior like before. To me, Ms. Thuy is like a mother, teaching and encouraging me every step of the way. My classmates are also very friendly and help me a lot.”

The class runs from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Monday to Friday. Currently, the class size is around 14 students, aged 6-24. Most of the students come from impoverished families or have disabilities. Some have divorced parents and live with their grandparents, while others live with only one parent and earn a living by selling lottery tickets or collecting scrap metal. Many don't even have birth certificates.

“Most of the students in the class are from disadvantaged backgrounds, lacking birth certificates, household registration, access to education, and a home. For these children, I always hope to teach and support them in learning a trade so they can support themselves. Some were very stubborn when they first started, but now they are much more well-behaved. Some are older than their classmates but are very diligent, so everyone loves them,” said Ms. Thuy.

Overcoming numerous difficulties and receiving support from sponsors and the attention of the My Binh ward management, the class taught by Ms. Thuy has now eradicated illiteracy for hundreds of poor local children.

Text and photos: DUY HIẾU

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/day-hoc-mien-phi-cho-tre-em-ngheo-a187182.html