The person who gives a voice to children with disabilities.

Every day, at the My Lam School for the Disabled in Vinh Thong ward, the teachers patiently teach each child how to hold a spoon, greet others, and say thank you. This quiet work is sustained by the love of these special "mothers."

Teach even the smallest things.

Mornings at My Lam School for the Disabled are always filled with unique sounds. There are the hesitant calls of students with speech delays, the hand gestures of hearing-impaired children, some running to hug their teachers, and others sitting silently in the corner of the classroom, needing a long time to be coaxed into studying.

Ms. Vu Phuong Lieu teaches hearing-impaired children. Photo: THU OANH

At this school, 15 teachers are not only classroom instructors but also special "mothers." Each day begins with coaxing students into the classroom, adjusting their clothes, helping them sit properly, or patiently repeating a simple lesson over and over again.

For over 10 years, teacher Le Thi Anh Nhung (32 years old), residing in Vinh Thong ward, has almost entirely dedicated her youth to teaching special needs. After graduating with a degree in primary education, she continued her studies to obtain additional certifications in special education to better suit her work. In 2015, upon graduation, she came to the school with the intention of teaching disadvantaged children. But the longer she worked there, the more she understood that the students needed more than just literacy. “Some children are 10 years old but don’t know how to brush their teeth or use the toilet. Therefore, besides teaching literacy, we have to teach them even the smallest skills so they can become independent,” Ms. Nhung shared.

In the early years, Ms. Nhung was in charge of the hearing-impaired class. When the school received more children with intellectual disabilities, autism, and ADHD, she switched to teaching a special needs class. Currently, she is the homeroom teacher of class 2A with 12 students aged 6-15. In her class, some children are learning the alphabet, while others are just learning to hold a pen. Sometimes she has to teach one letter for an entire week. Some students study for a whole year and still haven't memorized the entire alphabet.

Because each student learns at a different pace, Ms. Nhung has to teach both the whole class and provide individual tutoring. Some students suddenly run outside during class, while others only concentrate for a few minutes before forgetting what they just learned. "This job requires real patience. Sometimes I explain things a dozen times and they still forget, then the next day I have to start all over again. I'm happy if a student remembers even one more word or knows how to say thank you," Ms. Nhung said with a gentle smile.

The young teacher's joy doesn't come from achievements or grades, but from the small changes in her students. It could be the first time a child learns to feed themselves, greets guests with folded hands, or sits still to study for a few minutes. However, behind her love for the profession lies considerable everyday pressure. As a contract teacher at a charity, Ms. Nhung earns about 8 million VND per month after insurance deductions. The income isn't high, and the commute is long, but Ms. Nhung still chooses to stay in the profession. "Sometimes I feel a pang of envy when my peers are more financially stable. But thinking of my students, I can't bring myself to leave," Ms. Nhung confided.

Bonded by love

Ms. Vu Phuong Lieu (33 years old), residing in Hon Dat commune, has been associated with the My Lam School for the Disabled for over 11 years, thanks to a chance encounter. In 2014, after graduating from primary school teacher training college, through a recommendation from a nun in her hometown, she came to the school thinking it was a place to educate children from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, on her first day in class, she was almost "shocked" to see that the students didn't speak but communicated through hand gestures. "At that time, I was confused because I didn't understand what the children were saying. Later, with guidance from the nuns and senior teachers, I gradually learned sign language and got used to it without even realizing it," Ms. Lieu recalled.

Currently, Ms. Lieu is the homeroom teacher for a 4th-grade class for the hearing impaired, with 12 students aged 15-16. For her hearing-impaired students, she uses both sign language and lip reading to help them understand the lessons. The students follow the elementary school curriculum, but with simplified sections. The teacher not only teaches knowledge but also guides students in developing skills for community integration. Many students, after completing the program at the school, have gone on to study at other specialized institutions. For Ms. Lieu, this is the greatest achievement after many years of dedication.

The distance from home to school is over 20km, the income is not much, and life is still difficult, but Ms. Lieu has never thought about leaving this place. Ms. Lieu shared: "There are places out there with higher salaries, but I feel so much compassion for the students here. Seeing them improve little by little, I feel that my efforts are meaningful."

Understanding these difficulties, Sister Pham Nguyen Minh Hieu - Vice Principal of My Lam School for the Disabled - always strives to support teachers in both their work and personal lives. According to Sister Hieu, the school currently has 11 classes, including 4 for the hearing impaired and 7 for children with intellectual disabilities, autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome. Sister Hieu said: "Some children are over 20 years old but their cognitive abilities are still like those of young children, so teaching must be based on their abilities, not their age. Besides teaching literacy, the school also guides them in vocational training such as sewing, embroidery, and drawing to develop self-reliance skills for the future."

Operating on a self-funded basis without regular financial support, the school faces many challenges in maintaining its operations. Despite this, the school strives to ensure stable income and provide additional necessities to keep teachers committed. “We always encourage our teachers to pursue further education. If they have better opportunities later or wish to transfer to a job closer to home, the school is ready to support them,” Sister Hieu said.

Leaving the My Lam School for the Disabled, we will always remember the hesitant greetings and eager eyes of the students there. At that school, the children were taught everything from the alphabet to how to hold a spoon correctly, how to greet adults with folded hands, and how to say thank you. And the teachers quietly sowed hope with the love of a mother.

The My Lam School for the Disabled was established in 1995, initiated by a priest from the Long Xuyen Diocese. Currently, the school has 160 students with hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome who are taught literacy and life skills to gradually integrate into the community.

THU OANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nguoi-gieo-tieng-noi-cho-tre-khuyet-tat-a485824.html