Choking 'teacher, my mother left...'

TPO - The innocent yet heartbreaking cry "Teacher, my mother left... I have no one" from the little student on the brink of dropping out of school has haunted teacher Dinh Thi Le Thu for many years. And then today, when she saw her "child" again through the screen, Ms. Thu could not hold back her tears of happiness...

At the 2025 "Sharing with Teachers" commendation program, there were emotional and happy moments with the stories of Ms. Dinh Thi Le Thu - teacher of Duong Hoa Primary School, Duong Hoa Commune (Quang Ninh Province); "green uniform teacher" Lo Van Phich - mass mobilization officer, Nam Lanh Border Guard Station (Son La Province); and Ms. Y Hai - Dak Duc Primary and Secondary School ( Quang Ngai Province).

They are 3 of many people who have chosen to return to their homeland, bringing letters to warm the poor and deprived villages.

The emotional exchange between "green uniform teacher" Lo Van Phich, teacher Dinh Thi Le Thu and teacher Y Hai (from left to right) at the program. Photo: Xuan Tung

Unforgettable memories

Teacher Dinh Thi Le Thu never thought that such a profound memory would be unexpectedly resurrected. While she was sharing her story, a video clip was played, making Ms. Thu burst into tears.

That was the tribute from Chiu Gi Linh, a former student. Linh's voice trembled through the screen: "When I was little, my circumstances were very difficult, my parents did not live together. My two brothers and I lived with my grandmother, I decided to quit school. Ms. Thu encouraged me to go back to school and she took over the school so I could go to school... And now I have a family, a good husband, and a son. I thank her very much."

Ms. Dinh Thi Le Thu emotionally shared unforgettable memories with her student Chiu Gi Linh.
Photo: Xuan Tung

The whole room fell silent. This unexpected gift opened up a memory that Ms. Thu had always kept hidden. She choked up in tears as she recounted: "It was really a surprise... Every time I think of her, I can't hold back my tears."

That day, when she heard that Linh had dropped out of school, she went to her house. Before her eyes was the scene of three sisters hugging and crying. The little student looked at her, sobbing: "Teacher, my mother left... I have no one." That call cut into the young teacher's heart. That night, even though her child at home was just over 2 years old, Ms. Thu decided to stay with Linh and her three sisters, hug them, comfort them.

Not only a teacher, Ms. Thu has become a mother, a solid support for the helpless children. Now, seeing Linh grow up, have a happy, fulfilled family, Ms. Thu's tears are tears of happiness, of bursting when seeing the seed she planted with all her love has become a flourishing tree.

Successful "children" in the mountains and forests

For "green uniformed teacher" Lo Van Phich, the journey of spreading knowledge began in 1994, with special literacy classes where the Khmu ethnic group lived. His students were not only children, but also people of 45 years old, and young mothers carrying their babies to class.

From those simple classes, many of Mr. Phich's students learned to read and write, and then continued their education. Mr. Phich proudly said: "My first class of students, after learning to read and write, went to school, finished agricultural university, and are now working as local officials... Some are now deputy secretaries, some are police officers. Seeing them grow up, I am very happy."

Mr. Phich's story is not only about teaching, but also a journey of strong belief that education can change the fate of an individual and an entire village.

The emotional exchange of green-uniformed instructor Lo Van Phich at the program. Photo: Xuan Tung

The dream of a Gie Trieng girl

Born and raised in the Gie Trieng community, teacher Y Hai understands better than anyone the poverty and hardships and the only way to escape it is to study. The dream of becoming a teacher since childhood has urged her to pursue the path of pedagogy to bring letters back to the village.

Not only teaching, Ms. Y Hai is also a pioneer in applying information technology to teaching in a place where facilities are still lacking. She and her colleagues researched and designed electronic lectures, organized games on PowerPoint to make each lesson more lively, helping students to be excited and absorb the lessons better.

Three teachers, three stories, but sharing the same passion, a boundless love for students and their homeland.

They are not only teachers, but also fathers and mothers, who light the flame of love and hope in the most difficult lands. And their stories will forever be an endless source of inspiration about the silent sacrifice and noble value of the teaching profession.

The program "Sharing with teachers" is organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training and Thien Long Group since 2015.

The 2025 program was the largest ever, honoring and recognizing 201 teachers from 248 border communes, after the merger of two-level governments. Of these, 80 outstanding teachers went to Hanoi to attend the honoring ceremony.

Along with gratitude activities, this year's program has implemented many practical community activities across the country: building and repairing classrooms, libraries, and school toilets; awarding scholarships and donating learning tools; and implementing "listening - sharing" projects, helping teachers and students in disadvantaged areas access more learning opportunities and sustainable development.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nghen-ngao-co-oi-me-em-bo-di-roi-post1796321.tpo