Literacy classes have been running in Ca Mau for over 20 years.

GD&TĐ - For over 20 years, the literacy class taught by Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet (64 years old) has helped thousands of children in Ca Mau reach the shores of knowledge.

Silently sowing seeds of love and compassion.

In Hamlet 6, Tan Thanh Ward ( Ca Mau City), almost everyone knows about the charity literacy class run by Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet (64 years old). This special class has been running for over 20 years, providing education for many children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Every day, in the room, which is over 40 square meters, the sounds of children babbling as they practice spelling and reading have become familiar to the people living nearby.

There are two classes here, each with about 20 students. The morning class is for illiterate children (Grade 1), from 7:30 to 9:30. The afternoon class is a combined class for students in Grades 2, 3, and 4, from 2 PM to 4 PM.

Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet's literacy class.

Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet said that the charity class was established by the parish. It originated more than 20 years ago when, while distributing gifts to needy families, the parish priest noticed many children who did not attend school, were illiterate, and had to help their parents earn a living every day, which deeply moved him.

Upon returning, the parish priest decided to open a charity school and asked Ms. Thiet – who was then a primary school teacher in Ca Mau City and also a member of the parish – to teach the classes.

“Initially, I took on teaching the charity class simply out of obedience to the parish priest, but the more I taught, the more I felt compassion for the children's circumstances and wanted to dedicate myself to the class. I taught from when I was a teacher until I retired, and it's been over 20 years. Many young people wanted to help me teach alone, but they usually only stayed for a few months before quitting because they weren't used to the children's learning environment and for other personal reasons,” Ms. Thiet shared.

An older student in Ms. Thiet's class.

Having been involved for over 20 years, Ms. Thiet has many memories of the charity class. She recounts that, before the classroom floor was raised, because it was located near the river, it was often flooded during the rainy season or high tides, forcing teachers and students to teach and learn in the water. Seeing the young students wading through the water to get to class, afraid to put their feet on the floor, she felt heartbroken.

“On March 8th, October 20th, or November 20th, many students here know to give gifts to their teachers. It's simply a flower or a pen, but it warms my heart. Some even write poems for me. When I read their poems, my eyes well up with tears of emotion and joy because my students have become proficient in writing,” Ms. Thiet recounted with emotion.

The joy of literacy

Le Tan Luc, who is over 20 years old but has only just started first grade, shared that going to class with his teacher and friends is very enjoyable. He is very grateful to his teacher for teaching him to read and write, and now he can write his own name, which makes him very happy.

Nguyen Huu Hau, 14 years old, added that his family is in difficult circumstances, his parents are renting accommodation to work, and he is very afraid that his family will move elsewhere and he will not be able to continue studying here. He cherishes his teacher and doesn't want to leave her.

Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet wrote on the blackboard.

Ms. Tran Ngoc Lien said that she has two children attending Ms. Thiet's charity class. One child, after learning to read and write, has been enrolled in a regular school, while the other is still attending.

“My husband and I are illiterate and really want our children to go to school, but we can't afford it. When our child came home from Ms. Thiet's class proudly showing off that they could read and write, we were so happy. Sometimes, when we're out and about, they can read signs, and it makes us so joyful. Our family is grateful to Ms. Thiet for her dedication in teaching our children,” Ms. Lien shared.

To improve her teaching, Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet regularly engages in self-study, updating her knowledge from books, and learning how to establish discipline and teaching methods suitable for the new curriculum, helping students catch up with the program when they officially start school.

The students listened attentively to Ms. Thiet's lecture.

Despite being busy with family responsibilities and taking care of her elderly mother, Ms. Thiet still regularly attends class twice a day, rarely missing a session.

For over 20 years, Ms. Thiet has been spreading love and compassion, and she doesn't remember how many children she has helped learn to read and write, or how many have been able to attend formal school. Whenever she hears that one of her students is praised for being diligent and academically successful, she feels as excited and happy as if she'd won the lottery.

"This teaching profession seems to be ingrained in my blood and flesh. Stopping teaching would be incredibly sad; I'd miss the students so much that I have to go out even in the rain and wind. I just hope to have good health to continue this unpaid work. I'll only stop teaching when my health no longer allows me to, when I can no longer walk, and my mind is no longer sharp," shared Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/lop-xoa-mu-chu-hon-20-nam-o-ca-mau-post752714.html