Quietly nurturing literacy in ethnic minority communities.

Without a podium or chalk, for decades, the footsteps of Mr. K. Luan – Head of the Front Committee of Hamlet 4, Ta Lai Commune, Dong Nai Province – have never rested. Amidst the scorching sun and the dark nights of the vast forest, this man quietly goes from street to street, knocking on every door to keep the children in the classroom, kindling hope for a brighter future for the Ma and Stieng people.

Keep knocking, awaken those dreams.

Every morning and evening, the sight of the Ma ethnic man riding his old motorbike slowly weaving through the concrete roads has become all too familiar to the people of Hamlet 4. Mr. KLuan doesn't go for personal reasons, nor does he follow rigid "administrative" procedures. He goes to observe, to listen to the rhythm of village life, and to promptly identify children who are absent from school. Whenever he sees any "unusual" signs – a small figure hiding behind the fields or gathering at a street corner during school hours – he goes to them. Some children are discouraged because of poverty, some are too playful, and some parents still hold the belief that "being literate is enough," wanting their children to start working early to help the family. For each situation, Mr. KLuan has a different "solution." Instead of dogma, he chooses a gentle conversational approach, using the compassion of an experienced elder to persuade them.

Mr. KLuận visited Mrs. Ka Tờ (residing in Hamlet 4, Tà Lài Commune) during the completion of her sturdy house, which was built with financial support from the State.

As night falls and the stilt houses begin to glow with the lights, he leisurely strolls through the village. Seeing children gathering late at night, he gently reminds them to stay home. If it happens again, he will meet directly with the parents to find solutions for their children's education . Hamlet 4 currently has nearly 500 households, the majority of whom are Ma and Stieng ethnic minorities. Although life has improved, poverty remains a haunting specter hindering the children's education. "I hope that one day I won't have to knock on anyone's door because of school dropout issues. I want the sound of studying to regularly fill the air at every study table in the village in the evenings. Only knowledge can help these children find a better future," Mr. KLuận confided in a warm, hopeful voice.

To ensure his words matched his actions, before each school year began, he busily contacted friends to raise funds to buy textbooks. He meticulously refurbished the old textbooks, neatly arranged them, and handed them directly to poor students. The material value might not be great, but it represented his heartfelt dedication and invaluable encouragement, helping these children in the highlands confidently enter school. Thanks to his attentiveness, the rate of students dropping out of school in Hamlet 4 has significantly decreased. Mr. K. Can, a respected local figure, affirmed: "Thanks to K. Luan's perseverance and responsibility, the children here are much more studious. This change, though not dramatic, is sustainable because it stems from the awareness of the local people."

"A shared home" strengthens national bonds.

More than just a "keeper" of written words, Mr. K. Luận is also the "architect" of compassionate homes. As the Head of the Fatherland Front Committee, he always connects resources to support the community. Whenever a household receives government funding to build a sturdy house, he joins the youth volunteers in the hamlet to help move soil, level the ground, and assist the construction workers. The image of this Fatherland Front official, undeterred by hardship and providing his own food to reduce costs for the homeowners, has touched the hearts of many. He also mobilizes friends to contribute bags of cement and blocks of sand to help the villagers complete their homes. On the day of handover, the hamlet committee prepares gifts to celebrate, creating a warm and meaningful atmosphere.

Ms. Ka To, a resident of Hamlet 4, emotionally shared: “Thanks to Mr. K Luan’s efforts in mobilizing additional materials and the help of the village youth, my family was able to have our dream house. He takes care of the people in every detail, from the children’s education to the illnesses of the elderly.”

Ma and Stieng children and respected KCan (Stieng ethnic group, residing in Hamlet 4, Ta Lai commune) on a well-maintained, clean village road.

For Mr. K. Luận, the Fatherland Front is not a distant concept, but rather a "common home" where people help each other overcome hardships. At the First Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Đồng Nai Province (2025-2030 term) on November 7th, he was one of the outstanding delegates who brought the spirit of the village to the assembly. For him, that honor is linked to responsibility: to continue spreading the beauty of community culture and call for more attention for the Tà Lài people.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, Mr. K. Luận's quiet footsteps are like a gentle yet enduring melody, continuing the story of compassion and the aspiration for progress of the ethnic minorities in the arduous yet heroic eastern region.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/Xa-hoi/lang-le-vun-dap-con-chu-vung-dong-bao-dan-toc--i791535/