Bringing literacy to Lung Prông village.
In Lung Prông village (Đức Cơ commune, Gia Lai province), every evening when the mist descends upon the mountain slopes, the lights in the small classroom illuminate. There, "special students"—some with white hair, others carrying young children—patiently spell out each letter. For them, learning is not just about knowing how to read and write, but also about regaining self-confidence, faith in knowledge, and in themselves.
At 6:30 PM, Mrs. Kpuih H'Hai (62 years old, from Lung Prông village) busily prepares her books and notebooks. Instead of gathering with her children and grandchildren like others her age, she chooses to diligently attend class. Her voice falters as she recounts her incomplete childhood, having to drop out of school after only one or two years due to poverty. For many years, she has lived with illiteracy, often feeling embarrassed by her children and grandchildren's requests because she doesn't know how to write.
"Every time my child asked me to sign or write something and I couldn't do it, I could only remain silent, feeling very ashamed. For me, writing used to be a nightmare," Mrs. H'Hai confided.
In September 2023, Le Van Tam Primary School opened a literacy class, and Ms. H'Hai immediately registered, despite the gossip: "What's the point of learning at this age?". For her, knowing how to read and write wasn't just about reading newspapers or signs, but also about not having to rely on others.
"With free books and pens, all I need to do is arrive at class on time," Mrs. H'Hai said with a gentle smile.
At 40 years old, Kpuih Phuoc also carries a similar burden of self-doubt. Due to poverty in his childhood, he had to drop out of school early. His thirst for literacy never faded, but he lacked the means to educate himself. When a literacy class opened in his village, he saw it as a rare opportunity. Every evening, he would set aside his farm work to attend class, even turning down many social gatherings with friends. This perseverance earned him the trust to be elected class leader.
"Before, I had to ask others for help when going to the commune office to get any paperwork done, which was very embarrassing. Now that I can read and write, I'm much more confident, and I can even go online to read the news. My life has changed completely," Mr. Phuoc happily shared.
Perhaps the most persistent example is Rmah H'Byin (28 years old). Despite having given birth just over a month ago, she carries her baby to class every evening. When the baby sleeps, she takes the opportunity to write; when the baby cries, the teachers help hold the baby so she can continue studying.
"Even though I have three children, I still wanted to learn to read and write. After the lessons, I feel more confident and less shy when talking to people. I will try not to miss any classes," she said.
In the small room, the elderly carefully spell out words, young people meticulously write each letter, and young mothers study while holding their babies… All of this creates a touching picture of learning, inspiring the entire community.
Persistently spreading literacy in border areas.
Ms. Trinh Thi Ngoc Tu, Deputy Principal of Le Van Tam Primary School, said that the class opened in September 2023 with 20 students, mostly Jrai people. After nearly two years, 17 students remain and attend regularly, currently in their fifth semester.
According to Ms. Tú, the program consists of five semesters, upon completion of which students will receive a certificate equivalent to elementary school level. Despite the small number of students, the school still assigns one homeroom teacher along with seven teachers responsible for Math, Vietnamese, and Science .
"Despite the long distances and the rain and wind, people still come to our homes to encourage students to attend classes. During the day, we teach regular classes, and in the evenings, we teach literacy classes. Seeing our students grow day by day, becoming proficient in reading and writing, makes us very happy," Mrs. Tu confided.
More than just a place to learn, the classroom has become a place for sharing. Those who were once shy are now more confident; the elderly find more joy, young people have more job opportunities, and women gain more confidence in caring for their children.
The literacy class in Lung Prông village is a testament to the spirit of "as long as there is one illiterate person, the whole society will care for them." Knowledge not only helps the villagers in their work but also opens new doors for them to confidently integrate into the community.
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/hoc-chu-o-tuoi-xe-chieu-post745037.html
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