"The fairy godmother" of poor students

The rain had just stopped, and the sun was shining brightly on the white sand. I stopped my car next to a small house, and before I could ask for directions, I heard the gentle voice of a woman coming from inside:

Have you all done your homework?

- Excuse me, teacher! We've already done it!

- You're all very good children! Today, I'm going to introduce a new lesson. Now, everyone, close your books!

The students responded in unison: "Yes, teacher!"

I parked my motorbike by the roadside, hesitating before going inside, when I heard a woman's gentle voice ask:

- Yes, who do you need to see?

I would like to meet teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong.

- This is Cuong, sir. I'm sorry, I'm in the middle of a lesson with the children. Could you come back in about an hour?

I greeted the woman and leisurely wheeled my bike into a roadside cafe on Nui Thanh Street. Seeing me enter, the owner warmly asked, "Are you here to entrust your child to Ms. Cuong's tutoring?" Without waiting for my answer, she continued, "She's a wonderful teacher. Not only does she teach for free, but she also gives poor students clothes and books. All the poor children in my neighborhood go there to study." Hearing the owner's words, I was even more impressed by the compassionate heart of teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong...

After the students left class, I went back to meet and chat with teacher Kim Cương and gained a fairly thorough understanding of her class.

The new school uniforms, intended to "boost morale" ahead of the new school year, were sponsored and purchased by Kim Cương's husband and colleagues. (Photo provided by the subject)

Teacher Kim Cương recounted that after graduating from teacher training college in 1998, she returned to teach at Hoa Hai Secondary School (now Huynh Ba Chanh Secondary School). On the day she took over the class, she saw many students from extremely difficult family circumstances. Although they were city residents, at that time An Nong village, Hoa Hai ward (Ngu Hanh Son district), was still struggling, not much different from a poor rural area. "Seeing the children coming to school in their thin shirts, I discussed with my colleagues in the subject group about gathering children from disadvantaged backgrounds to establish a charity class. I boldly approached the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of the ward to ask permission to borrow the community center to open the class. After I presented my idea and proposal, the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of the ward immediately agreed. As a colleague, my husband, Tran Ngoc Ut, a chemistry teacher (now an administrator at Tay Son Secondary School), enthusiastically supported me. Seeing that the facilities at the class location were lacking, my husband withdrew nearly 200 million VND from his savings to buy a TV, electric fans, and install an air conditioner...", Ms. Cuong recounted.

Upon investigation, we discovered that for nearly 30 years, teacher Kim Cuong and her colleagues have consistently maintained two free classes for underprivileged students, teaching them Literature, Mathematics, and English. For these poor students, teacher Kim Cuong is also a friend, sharing small stories and discussing the right and wrong of life. The "Zero-Cost Classes," which help fulfill dreams, are held regularly every Saturday and Sunday morning at the Hai Chau Ward Community Center, 227/2 Hung Vuong Street. Here, Ms. Kim Cuong and her colleagues teach students from grades 6 to 9. Beyond teaching, she also mobilizes benefactors to provide gifts, books, and clothing for the children at the beginning of the school year and during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year).

Truong Vu Thuc Uyen, a student in class 9/4 at Kim Dong Secondary School, has a disability since childhood, making her small in stature, and her family faces extreme hardship. Knowing Thuc Uyen's difficult circumstances, Ms. Kim Cuong has provided free tutoring and instruction, and Thuc Uyen has now made significant progress in her studies and caught up with her peers. Ms. Kim Cuong also helps three siblings, Dam Duong Phuong Loan, Dam Duong Phuong Hong, and Dam Duong Quoc An, who come from equally difficult families. She tutors them at her home. Now, all three siblings are grown up. The eldest, Dam Duong Phuong Loan, is a lecturer at Duy Tan University; the second, Dam Duong Phuong Hong, is an accountant at a company in Da Nang City; and the youngest, Dam Duong Quoc An, has just graduated from medical school.

Giving wings to dreams

While we were chatting, Ms. Kim Cuong suddenly stopped, took a stack of papers from her briefcase, and handed them to me. Quickly flipping through a few pages, I realized these were letters from her former students far away. Reading the words in the letters, I clearly understood the heartfelt and affectionate feelings of her former student, Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu (31 years old), who is currently working in Ho Chi Minh City, for her teacher. Ms. Kim Cuong happily said: “Every time I receive a letter or call from poor students participating in the 'Zero-Cost Class,' I'm so happy. Their progress in life is the happiness of those of us who guide them. Most of the students who come to my house to study are from poor families with limited educational opportunities. Sympathizing with their circumstances, I take advantage of my free time to tutor them during holidays and breaks. Seeing their children's progress, their parents have come to thank me. Despite their difficult circumstances, they still bring money and gifts to pay for my services. I always refuse because I think that I only hope that when they grow up, they will be useful to society, and besides, the people here are also poor; they don't have much to spare.”

Literature class taught by homeroom teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong of the "Zero-Cost Classroom".

There was the sound of a motorbike outside the gate. Kim Cuong and I looked out and saw a woman carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers walking in. Overjoyed, the young woman rushed into Kim Cuong's arms, forgetting to greet me. The young woman softly said, "Sometimes the pressure at work is very stressful, but whenever I think of your example, I try my best to overcome it." I saw Kim Cuong's hands tremble as she embraced the young woman...

After a moment of emotion, the girl turned to me and said softly, "I'm Dam Duong Phuong Loan, a former student of Ms. Kim Cuong! Hundreds of underprivileged families in Da Nang City are grateful to Ms. Kim Cuong, sir. Although her family isn't well-off, with her kind heart and love for children, Ms. Kim Cuong has voluntarily taught hundreds of children to read and write, and many of them have now graduated from university and become successful adults."

In a conversation with me, Dam Duong Phuong Loan confided: "Not only my three sisters and I, but all generations of students consider Ms. Kim Cuong as our second mother. She is a shining example for generations of students to follow."

Beyond simply teaching the children to read and write, through her own example of overcoming hardship, teacher Kim Cương has instilled a sense of purpose and character in the hearts of young students. From children who couldn't even read a single letter to those considered "troublesome," through her guidance, they all became well-behaved, respectful of elders, and obedient to their grandparents and parents. Understanding the difficult circumstances of these families, she also saved up money donated by benefactors to buy books, stationery, and other supplies for orphaned and impoverished children; she also gave gifts to well-behaved and academically successful students to encourage their studies. On many rainy days, she even cooked meals for her students right in the classroom.

Currently, teacher Kim Cuong is also connecting with many other teachers who share the same ideas and passion for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, inviting them to participate in teaching. Besides academic knowledge, the students also learn swimming, martial arts, chess, and more.

Speaking with us, Mr. Truong Thanh Dung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoa Cuong Ward, Da Nang City, affirmed: "Teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong has always been dedicated to her profession and possesses a compassionate heart. The 'Zero-Cost Classroom' model, providing free education to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, is a very meaningful and commendable endeavor. We hope that the 'Zero-Cost Classroom' will continue to be maintained so that many children from difficult family circumstances can receive help and guidance from teachers, helping them to progress and become good children and excellent students."

For nearly 30 years, teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong and her colleagues have dedicated themselves to the "Zero-Cost Classroom," instilling in generations of students faith and determination to move towards the future. Her simple yet noble actions not only help underprivileged children overcome hardship but also spread a spirit of compassion throughout the community.

For her persistent and effective contributions to the cause of "nurturing future generations," teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong was commended by the Hai Chau Ward Women's Union. As an exemplary Party member, teacher Kim Cuong was honored with a commendation for studying and following the ideology, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh.

The afternoon in Da Nang was peaceful, the sound of the waves still murmuring in the distance... The image of teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong diligently helping poor students with all her love remains deeply etched in my memory. Driving slowly along Nui Thanh road during rush hour, I suddenly thought: Although life has changed considerably, there are still many poor students, orphans, and homeless children in rural areas. If only everyone had a kind heart, willing to quietly ferry these children across the river like teacher Kim Cuong, how much more meaningful life would be...

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/cuoc-thi-nhung-tam-guong-binh-di-ma-cao-quy-lan-thu-17/lop-hoc-0-dong-chap-canh-uoc-mo-1037822