A special "dormitory"
Late in the afternoon in Tra Van village, the mountain mist descended, obscuring the hillsides surrounding the house. In the small kitchen, a red fire flickered, radiating warmth amidst the chill of the Da Nang highlands. Around the simple meal of wild vegetables and a pot of hot instant noodle soup, seven children (two grandchildren and five younger siblings) chattered excitedly, gathered around their grandfather, whom the entire Ca Dong village affectionately called "Father Yen."
Since the beginning of September 2025, Mr. Yen has been providing free care for five students (four kindergarteners and one elementary school student) throughout the school week, from Monday to Friday. Their homes are nearly a four-hour walk through the forest from the school; if they had to travel back and forth every day, many would be exhausted and likely drop out. Therefore, the father's wooden house has become a special "dormitory," where these poor children have hot meals, a place to sleep, and a warm fireplace to continue attending school.
The simple dinner was joyful and warm, enjoyed around the loving hearth of Yen's father.
Sitting by the stove, Yến's father confided in a slow voice: "The children are so unfortunate. The road is long and steep, and when it rains, it becomes slippery and prone to landslides. I'm old now, and I just hope to contribute a little so that the children can get a proper education. We eat whatever we have at home, as long as the children can go to school regularly, I'm happy."
In the evenings, when the whole village was shrouded in darkness, Mr. Yen's small stilt house still echoed with the cheerful chatter of children, mingled with the faint scent of wood smoke. Teacher Ho Thi Phu from Vanh Khuyen Kindergarten emotionally shared: "With such a long distance, it would be difficult to maintain the children's attendance without Mr. Yen keeping them here. He takes care of everything from meals and sleep to reminding them to come to school on time. Thanks to him, encouraging children to attend class is much easier for us teachers in the highlands."
A lifetime dedicated to education in mountainous regions.
Not only does he care for the few children he currently has, but Yến's father's entire life has been a tireless journey for the educational future of this mountainous region. Before 1998, Trà Vân commune had not been divided into two communes , Trà Vinh and Trà Vân (belonging to Nam Trà My district, Quảng Nam province). This was a remote area with poor transportation, and schools were almost a luxury, so most of the villagers were illiterate.
Recalling that time, Mr. Yen, one of the few educated people in the village, wrote a petition on behalf of the villagers requesting the separation of the commune. He recounted with pride: “Those were very difficult times, but I thought that separating the commune would mean the government would pay more attention to the people. Now, concrete roads reach all the hamlets, the schools are well-equipped, teachers receive government support, and seeing the children receive a proper education, I am very satisfied!”
Vành Khuyên Kindergarten, where children from the highlands receive education and care, is located on land donated by Yến's father.
After the commune was divided, he held the position of Party Secretary and Chairman of the People's Committee of Tra Vinh commune for the first term. With the view that "education must be prioritized," he devoted his efforts to expanding schools. Two kindergartens, Vanh Khuyen Kindergarten and Primary School in Hamlet 5, Tra Van commune, were built on land he voluntarily donated.
For many years, Yen's father diligently encouraged students to attend school, persuaded parents to let their children go to school, and proposed policies to attract teachers to the highlands. Whenever there was support from the government or philanthropists, he always found ways to bring it to the poor students and struggling teachers of Tra Van.
Video: Yen's father prioritizes education above all else.
Ms. Ho Thi Bong, a resident of Hamlet 5, expressed her respect: “We can only say two words to Father Yen: gratitude. He was a pioneer in helping people escape poverty, ensuring children attend school, and building schools. From transportation to education in the commune now, most of it bears the mark of Father Yen, the respected village elder of our Ca Dong village.”
Due to old age and declining health, he had retired from all his positions, but his love for children and his belief in education never wavered. Before each school year began, Mr. Yen, along with teachers and local authorities, would visit each house in the village, reminding parents to send their children to school. Then, every afternoon, as he sat tending the fire, the children would return from school, their clear voices echoing throughout the small house, calling out, "Mr. Yen!"
Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/lop-hoc-bo-yen-giua-dai-ngan-tra-van-238251210170749381.htm
Comment (0)