The person who keeps children engaged with literacy.

For nearly 30 years, amidst the hustle and bustle of Da Nang city, a small classroom has consistently lit its lights every weekend. More than just teaching literacy, it has become a haven, supporting those in need through unwavering compassion and generosity.

No signboards, no tuition fees, and no fancy desks and chairs like in other tutoring centers; there, only the gentle voice of teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong lecturing and the hesitant sounds of poor students struggling to learn to read and write could be heard.

That "free" classroom has quietly existed for 28 years, serving as a small home supporting countless disadvantaged students on their journey to school. For many children in Hoa Cuong ward and surrounding areas, that simple room is not only a place to study but also a place where they find encouragement, faith, and opportunities to continue nurturing their dreams.

These rewards encourage the children to happily go to school.

PHOTO: TGCC

On a weekend afternoon, in a small room nestled deep in an alley in Da Nang City, Ms. Cuong diligently corrects her students' assignments. On her old desk are stacks of worn-out textbooks, a few boxes of colored pencils, and new notebooks that she gives to underprivileged students at the beginning of each school year. The whiteboard on the wall has faded with time, but her carefully written words still reflect her dedication.

Outside, the city lights began to come on, and a stream of cars hurried along the main streets. But inside that small room, the eyes of the children remained focused on the blackboard, where the teacher, over 50 years old, patiently explained each math problem and each passage to the students who were slower learners than their peers.

Some children rushed to class as soon as school ended, their uniforms still stained with dust from the road. Others helped their mothers sell goods at the market from early morning and then hurried to school in the afternoon. Old bicycles were parked close together in front of the classroom, and the cheerful chatter and the sound of the teacher's voice created a simple yet warm atmosphere.

Born into a poor family, Kim Cuong's childhood was filled with hardship and times when she almost had to drop out of school to help support her family. On some rainy days, young Kim Cuong would still walk to school on the muddy dirt road, carrying her schoolbag. Unable to afford new books, she had to borrow used books from older students to continue her studies.

When she was a child, Kim Cuong was secretly tutored for free by a teacher in her village. He not only taught her to read and write, but also encouraged her to believe that education was the only way to change her future. That kindness stayed with her for many years.

"I've received help from others before, so I always think that when I'm able, I should help children who are less fortunate," Ms. Cuong shared.

After graduating from the University of Education in 1998, she successively taught at Hoa Hai Secondary School and Kim Dong Secondary School. During her years of teaching, witnessing many students' academic performance decline due to difficult circumstances and lack of tutoring, she was always deeply troubled.

Then she decided to open a free tutoring class right in her home. Initially, only a few students from the neighborhood came to study there. The small room lacked desks and chairs, so the students had to sit crowded together on old plastic chairs. Yet, the class was always filled with laughter.

Gradually, more and more students came to the class. Some were referred by teachers because of their weak academic performance, while others came from extremely difficult family circumstances. For the past 28 years, the class has never charged tuition fees. "For me, each lesson is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about keeping the children engaged with learning," she said.

Her contributions have been recognized.

PHOTO: TGCC

Perhaps because she herself experienced poverty, Ms. Cuong understands the feelings of inferiority experienced by underprivileged children. Many children come to class with their heads down because of poor grades, because they feel ashamed for not having access to extra tutoring like their peers, and some have even considered dropping out of school to help their families.

But in her classroom, there was never any discrimination. She always gently called each student by name, patiently explaining the lesson until they understood. For her, no student was "impossible to improve," they just needed more time and encouragement.

Besides teaching math, literature, and English, she also talks to and teaches students lessons about politeness, gratitude, and self-confidence in the face of difficulties. Sometimes, even when class ends late, she stays behind just to explain the lesson to a student who hasn't understood.

At the beginning of each school year, she quietly prepares notebooks, old textbooks, or uniforms donated by other parents to give to underprivileged students. Some students had dropped out of school multiple times because they had to help their mothers sell lottery tickets, but thanks to her persistent tutoring, they eventually graduated from high school and found stable jobs.

Another student, who used to be very shy and almost afraid to speak up in class for fear of making mistakes, gradually gained confidence thanks to her encouragement. Her academic performance improved significantly, and she later became the first university student in her family.

Not only students, but many parents in the neighborhood also see Ms. Cuong as a source of emotional support. Some have said that without this free class, their children would struggle to keep up with their studies.

What worried her most wasn't the grades, but how to prevent her students from dropping out of school midway.

"These children are at a great disadvantage. Some of them help their parents sell goods, collect scrap metal, or look after younger siblings after school. I just hope they can still go to school; knowledge can be gradually compensated for," she confided.

For nearly 30 years, teacher Pham Thi Kim Cuong has guided hundreds of underprivileged students. Many of those who were once shy in the small classroom have now grown up, have stable jobs, and return to visit her with deep gratitude.

Some students brought along their family's first university degree to show off to her. Others became teachers, soldiers, factory workers, or office workers, but they still remember those evenings when she patiently lectured them under the old lamplight.

On every holiday, Tet (Vietnamese New Year), or Vietnamese Teachers' Day, the small room is filled with the laughter of returning former students. For Ms. Cuong, the students' growth and maturity is the greatest reward after nearly three decades of quietly imparting knowledge.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Da Nang today, that "free" classroom still exists as a simple yet deeply humane beacon of light – a place where a teacher in her 50s quietly keeps poor children alive, nurturing their dream of going to school with all her love.

In an increasingly developed society, perhaps simple things like this become even more precious. Without fanfare or ostentation, Ms. Kim Cuong chooses to dedicate herself quietly as a teacher – silently preserving faith, hope, and a future for countless underprivileged students for nearly three decades.

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-giu-nhung-dua-tre-o-lai-voi-con-chu-185260523114734854.htm