The desire to write my own name

Writing one's name, a seemingly simple act for many people, has become a great aspiration for Van Kieu women living in the border area of ​​Quang Tri province, in Lia commune.

Amidst the rugged mountain ranges and the difficult highland villages of Quang Tri , the calloused hands of mothers and sisters, accustomed to hoes, baskets, machetes... are now trembling as they practice spelling each stroke, carefully writing their first lines on a blank page with a small desire: to write their names.

Proud of... being able to write down whatever comes to mind

For women in the highlands who are busy all year round in the fields, their hands are as rough as their hard work. Therefore, the journey of writing each stroke, seemingly simple, becomes a big challenge.

Ms. Ho Thi Dup, a woman in Arong village, Lia commune... can now write, which is a personal miracle.

PHOTO: NGUYEN PHUC

However, with their own determination and the dedicated support of teachers in the highlands and border guards, many Van Kieu women have gradually learned to read and write. From there, they can learn about the policies of the Party and the State, grasp poverty reduction support programs, and change their family life with the newly acquired knowledge.

Ms. Dup is proud to have filled out the application for admission.

PHOTO: NGUYEN PHUC

One of those touching stories is the case of Ms. Ho Thi Dup, a woman in Arong village, Lia commune. Once a poor household, unable to read or write, Ms. Dup had to depend completely on others whenever she needed to fill out an application or read government documents. After persistently attending a literacy class, she was able to write her own name, something she had never dared to think of before.

Ms. Dup was absorbed in her night class.

PHOTO: NGUYEN PHUC

"Since taking the literacy class, I have learned to read and write. Now I can write my child's admission application, know how to raise livestock, reduce poverty... I can even write down whatever comes to mind," Ms. Dup shared, shyly showing off her not-so-straight handwriting.

Night classes push back the darkness of poverty

Literacy classes in Lia commune are usually held in the evening, after the farming work has temporarily subsided. Under the yellow light shining on the wooden walls of the simple classrooms, the sound of spelling slowly resounds in the border area. Each letter written is a step forward, an effort to overcome the inferiority complex, to overcome the circumstances of the special students, the women who have gone through half of their lives without once having the chance to hold a pen to write their full name.

Mothers and sisters use flashlights to get to class.

PHOTO: THANH LOC

Behind that perseverance lies the hard work of those who spread the word. Teacher Tran Thi Diem Ha, a teacher at A Xing Secondary School (Lia Commune, Quang Tri), shared that motivating students to come to class is not an easy journey.

"The biggest difficulty is that the mothers and sisters are all old and have difficult family circumstances. It was very difficult to convince them to come to class at first. We teachers have to persistently persuade and encourage them regularly so that they do not give up on their journey to find knowledge," said Ms. Ha.

Literacy class taught by teacher Tran Thi Diem Ha, teacher at A Xing Secondary School

PHOTO: THANH LOC

Ms. Tran Thi Diem Ha, a teacher at A Xing Secondary School, has to "hold hands and guide" the students.

PHOTO: NGUYEN PHUC

Currently, teachers at A Xing Secondary School maintain regular classes 5 days a week, 5 periods each day, regardless of cold rain or busy season days.

Mr. Nguyen Mai Trong, Principal of A Xing Secondary School, said that the school coordinates with the commune authorities to maintain the number of students and create the most favorable conditions for students: "We focus on mobilizing students to attend class and arrange suitable teaching hours. The school and the commune both have forms of encouragement for students to complete the program. In the coming time, we will continue to open classes for people of the right age, aiming to meet the standards of universal literacy."

Mother and child go to night school together

PHOTO: THANH LOC

Mothers and sisters enthusiastically spell according to the teacher's rhythm.

PHOTO: THANH LOC

Thanks to being able to read and write, many women in the highlands have become more confident in communication and in daily life. They know how to read village notices, look up information about loan support, production, and animal husbandry; and know how to record business plans and family expenses. Knowledge, even if it is just basic letters, has opened a new door for them.

In the highland villages of Quang Tri, when the light of knowledge is lit, the darkness of poverty and backwardness is gradually pushed back. Each literacy class not only imparts knowledge, but also inspires faith and hope for women who used to feel inferior because they were illiterate.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khat-vong-muon-tu-tay-viet-ten-minh-18525111909512082.htm