Literacy class for drug addicts in the middle of Thac Ba Lake

In early July, we visited a literacy class at the Yen Bai Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center, located on an island in the middle of Thac Ba Lake (in Yen Binh district). The class consisted of 26 students of various ages and ethnicities; some with graying hair were diligently practicing spelling their first letters. The common thread among these individuals was that most came from difficult circumstances, had never attended school, and due to a lack of understanding, had become addicted to drugs.

Addiction due to lack of knowledge

Thào A Tu (born in 1992, a Hmong ethnic minority from Lao Chải commune, Mù Cang Chải district, Yên Bái province) was admitted to a drug rehabilitation center at the end of 2023. Due to difficult family circumstances, Thào A Tu was unable to attend school. He joined his friends in using drugs and became addicted without realizing it.

Thào A Tu was thrilled to be given the opportunity by the rehabilitation center's management to participate in literacy classes, learn the common language, and be taught simple arithmetic. He saw this as a chance to rebuild his life in the future.

The Yên Bái Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center is located on an island in the middle of Thác Bà Lake. Photo: Hoàng Hữu.

Mr. Tao A Tu confided that, despite being over 30 years old, he is illiterate, making everything difficult. He can't even read billboards or posters promoting policies and laws. He joined the literacy class at this rehabilitation center along with many other trainees, hoping to learn to read and write. After completing his rehabilitation, he hopes to find work and rebuild his life upon returning to his hometown.

This literacy class has eight female students, all of whom are from the Hmong ethnic group, residing in highland districts such as Tram Tau and Mu Cang Chai. The teacher carefully guides them on how to hold chalk, write letters on small blackboards, and practice reading and spelling. During the course, the teacher also teaches simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

A special class for students undergoing drug rehabilitation at the Yen Bai Provincial Rehabilitation Center. Photo: Hoang Huu.

Giàng Thị Máy (from Nậm Khắt commune, Mù Cang Chải district, Yên Bái province) is 30 years old this year, but has been addicted to drugs for many years. Like many other trainees, Giàng Thị Máy was taught literacy and basic arithmetic. The main goal was that after completing the course, knowing how to read, write, and calculate would help improve their lives.

The woman recounted that, having lived in a poor village, she had a difficult life and therefore did not have the opportunity to go to school. While hanging out with friends, she was tempted to try drugs, and after several attempts, she became addicted and couldn't quit. In early 2024, local authorities sent her to compulsory drug rehabilitation at the Yen Bai Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center.

This special literacy class has eight female students. Photo: Hoang Huu.

Here, Giàng Thị Máy underwent various stages of treatment, including detoxification, treatment of infections; education , counseling, and behavioral rehabilitation; labor, therapy, and vocational training. Notably, she participated in literacy classes for students who had never attended school. Máy said she would try her best to learn to read and write so that when she returns to her hometown, she can work to help her family and alleviate their hardship.

Literacy leads to a brighter future.

While guiding the students in reading, Mr. Nguyen Hong Phong - an officer from the Yen Bai Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center (assigned as the class leader) - paused to remind the students to pronounce the letters clearly and not drag them out.

Teacher Phong shared that there are very small things that, even after being reminded dozens of times, students still forget. While teaching literacy, he also encourages and motivates students, helping them overcome their insecurities and self-doubt so that they can learn to read and write in a way that benefits them.

Teacher Nguyen Hong Phong - the homeroom teacher of the special education class - guides students in recognizing letters. Photo: Hoang Huu.

"The lessons in this special class should have been taught to everyone by the age of 3 or 5. Yet, here, many people with graying hair are still struggling to spell. Perhaps it is precisely because of their lack of education and understanding that they are easily led astray. Teaching literacy to ordinary people is difficult enough, but teaching those who have made mistakes in the past and been involved in drug abuse is even more challenging. Partly, they are hesitant to attend classes because of their age, and partly because they always feel ashamed and inferior about themselves," said Mr. Phong.

The scribbled handwriting of the trainees, some with graying hair. Photo: Hoang Huu.

Mr. Le Cong Huan, Director of the Yen Bai Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center, said that opening literacy classes for drug addicts aims to help trainees learn to read and write, and to record their names and ages. This will make it easier for them to access the knowledge disseminated at the rehabilitation center. After returning to their localities, they can reintegrate into the community, absorb information disseminated through labor and production, and contribute to economic development in their areas.

From 2023 to the present, the Yen Bai Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center has organized two literacy classes for over 50 trainees. Each course lasts three months, and after completion, trainees are graded according to categories: good, fair, average, and poor.

Students in the special education class are being guided in mathematics. The knowledge they gain will help them have more confidence in life after returning to their local communities. Photo: Hoang Huu.

Overall, after the literacy classes, 100% of the students can read, write, and perform simple addition and subtraction. Some have reintegrated into the community, while others continue to diligently study and practice spelling. It is from this place that hope and faith have been rekindled for those who once made mistakes, enabling them to return to society with a brighter future.

Source: https://danviet.vn/lop-xoa-mu-chu-cho-nguoi-cai-nghien-giua-ho-thac-ba-20240710171301969.htm