The charity class of an 'amateur' teacher

While many families were having a peaceful dinner, at the Border Guard Station of Tuyen Binh Commune (Tay Ninh), the familiar image of a man in a blue military uniform carefully folded up a file, quietly walking towards a small room at the end of the village.

That is the charity class, where every night, Captain Nguyen Dinh Thong "transforms" into a teacher, sowing each letter of knowledge for poor children who are thirsty for knowledge.

"Teacher", Captain Dinh Thong diligently teaches each student each stroke every day. PHOTO: NVCC

The "amateur" teacher and the journey of self-improvement

Nguyen Dinh Thong was born in 1994 in the poor countryside of Ha Tinh . The image of a brave and simple border soldier from his childhood instilled in him the dream of wearing a military uniform. In 2018, after graduating from the Border Guard Academy, he volunteered to work in Tay Ninh, a remote and windy land.

In July 2020, after many positions, he was appointed Captain of the Mass Mobilization Team of Tuyen Binh Commune Border Guard Station ( Tay Ninh ). The job brought him closer to the lives of people who freely migrated from Cambodia to Vietnam. Amidst the hardships of this land, he realized there was still a lingering concern: many children were busy following their parents to make a living but were illiterate. "On the first day I arrived here, I saw children herding cows, selling lottery tickets, cutting water hyacinth... but could not go to school. Their bewildered black eyes and calloused hands made me feel sad. From then on, I promised myself to do something to help them," he recalled.

"Teacher" Nguyen Dinh Thong in a lesson at a charity class. PHOTO: NVCC

The charity class in Tuyen Binh commune was opened by the border guard station in 2013, when the illegal migration situation caused many children to miss out on the opportunity to study. The old classroom of an elementary school was temporarily borrowed, the tables and chairs were patched together, the chalkboard was worn. But every night, that place was bustling with the sounds of dark faces reading lessons, with clear smiles. When assigned to take charge of this class, Captain Thong could not hide his surprise. "I am a soldier, I have never been to a teacher training school. Standing on the podium, I did not know where to start. In addition, with a strong Central accent, I was afraid the children would not understand," he said.

To overcome this, he practiced speaking slowly, searched for elementary school teaching materials, and called his mother, an elementary school teacher, to ask for guidance on how to teach children to spell and do math. He also went to Tuyen Binh Elementary School to learn from the teachers. Day by day, he transformed himself into a real teacher.

Sowing letters amidst hardships

From 6pm, the classroom resounds with the sound of children singing. After a tiring day, the children are still eager to practice writing each letter. "The happiest sound for me is the sound of children spelling words in the night", Captain Thong smiled gently.

Captain Nguyen Dinh Thong teaches children in a charity class. PHOTO: NVCC

In the 2024-2025 school year, the class will maintain 2 classes with 33 students aged 6-13. Students studying here are divided into 2 different classrooms. One class teaches the first grade curriculum, the other class teaches all students from 2nd to 5th grade. In addition to teaching letters, Mr. Thong also teaches the students simple things about lifestyle, greetings, hygiene, and helping their parents. For him, education is about cultivating personality, not just letters.

Maintaining student numbers is a big challenge. Many children drop out of school because they have to help their parents earn a living, and many parents think that "learning to read and write won't feed their stomachs." Many times, he and his teammates have gone to each house to patiently advise them. "We tell parents that sending their children to school means giving them a better future. Some children only need a few encouragements to return to class, but there are also cases where it takes weeks of persuasion," he confided. He did not stop there, but he mobilized philanthropists to support scholarships, bicycles, clothes and books. Although the gifts are small, they help the children feel cared for and the meaning of learning.

During Tet, he and his teammates often organize gift giving events for students and their families. During the recent Lunar New Year 2025, Tuyen Binh Border Guard Station coordinated with philanthropists and local authorities to give many meaningful gifts to the children, expressing the wish for a warm and fulfilling Tet holiday.

Recalling the days of attachment to the class, Captain Thong tearfully recounted a memory in 2022: "That day, after school, I drove a student about 7 years old home. He hugged my back and cried and asked: 'Are you going too, teacher?', because he thought I would leave the unit like other conscripts. At that moment, I felt choked up. That question made me so emotional that I was speechless. I understood that for them, this class is not only a place to learn but also a spiritual support."

Tuyen Binh Border Guard Station presents gifts from benefactors to children in charity classes. PHOTO: NVCC

The teacher in green uniform dedicated his life

For over 4 years, the image of Captain Nguyen Dinh Thong in his blue uniform standing in class under the light of an oil lamp has become familiar to people in the border areas. He is both a soldier protecting the Fatherland and a person who sows knowledge and sows dreams.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead as he finished his class, teacher Nguyen Dinh Thong said with a determined look in his eyes: "If only a child could read and write, his life would be different. That's why I never want the lights in this classroom to go out."

The charity class not only teaches letters, but also nurtures the future of an entire community. Many students who studied here are now confident in continuing their high school education, and some older students have even returned to help teach the class. "Seeing them grow up, I clearly feel the value of each hour spent in class. Every day, I feel that I need to try harder to not disappoint the trust of those innocent eyes," he shared.

Green uniformed "teachers" receive flowers on November 20th holiday of charity class

PHOTO: NVCC

With his efforts to contribute to the work of eliminating illiteracy in border areas, Captain Nguyen Dinh Thong has received many noble awards: a certificate of merit from the Prime Minister in 2021; a certificate of merit from the High Command in 2018, 2021; a certificate of merit from the Central Youth Union in 2020; the title of Emulation Fighter from 2016 to present. In November 2024 , he was honored in the program "Sharing with teachers", organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union, the Ministry of Education and Training and Thien Long Group.

"This job helps me learn to be more patient and loving. Seeing students grow up every day is the greatest happiness," he shared, his eyes shining with pride. In Captain Thong's story, there are no flowery words, only quiet love and the belief that knowledge can change fate. He always remembers Uncle Ho's teachings: "Respect the people, be close to the people, understand the people, learn from the people and be responsible to the people."

In the middle of the sunny and windy border area, Captain Nguyen Dinh Thong's charity class still lights up every night. In a place where there seems to be only hardship and toil, letters still sprout regularly, carrying the hope of a brighter tomorrow. And in the eyes of Tuyen Binh people, that teacher in green uniform is the embodiment of love, of a flame that never goes out.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lop-hoc-tinh-thuong-cua-thay-giao-tay-ngang-185250808115527562.htm