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From letters to friends... To hundreds of love ferries

Among many deeply humane television programs in Ca Mau, “A letter for a friend to help a friend” by reporter Trinh Hai, Ca Mau Radio and Television Station (now Ca Mau Newspaper and Radio and Television Station), has created a special impression when it evokes the sharing from students themselves for their peers. Not simply a news report, but each letter sent back carries sincere feelings, understanding and the desire to help friends overcome difficulties.

“ There are letters of 4-5 pages, expressing the students’ feelings for their friends in difficult circumstances. That is what moves me and makes me believe that the program not only spreads human values ​​but also nurtures compassion in the children themselves,” reporter Trinh Hai shared.

“Letters for Friends to Help Friends” was initiated in 2020, at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, small text messages with the theme “Love your friends during the pandemic” were the starting point for the program that is still maintained today. Over time, the program not only helps those in difficult circumstances but also sows good values ​​of friendship, empathy and the spirit of overcoming difficulties in the student community.

Reporter Trinh Hai (right cover) presented a bicycle to Ly Van Khoi, Grade 4, Tan Trung Primary School, Dam Doi District, through the program "Letter for friends helping friends".

“The Safe Ferry” is another touching story from the pen of a journalist. In the 2017-2018 school year, when Trinh Hai made a report about students in the Gia Long Den estuary (Tan Tien commune, Dam Doi district), he could not forget the image of children going to school on makeshift, unsafe ferries.

From a small article, a long journey has begun. Mr. Trinh Hai actively mobilized funds, coordinated with the Commune Youth Union to support 50% of the boat travel costs for students. Up to now, the program has entered its 9th year, mobilizing more than 400 million VND, providing safe means of transportation for hundreds of children in the river area.

In the 2024-2025 school year, the program continues to receive 80 million VND in support from the Le Thanh Tam Foundation ( Ho Chi Minh City). Not only stopping at financial support, the program also provides life jackets, school supplies and meaningful activities - a humanitarian journey initiated by the press.

Touch the heart of the community

The greatest value that journalism brings is not only in reflecting reality, but also in its ability to move people’s hearts, arouse love and responsibility in the community. From simple but emotional stories, journalism has become a bridge, adding confidence to students, expanding the circle of kindness between people.

Huynh Linh Tran is a character in the “Humanitarian Bridge” column of Ca Mau Newspaper in 2013. Up to now, she has received support from many organizations and benefactors with scholarships and expenses to fight against Thalassemia disease so that she can go to school. Tran is currently in Grade 10 at Ca Mau High School.

Ms. Pham Nguyen Nhu Ngoc, a teacher at Ly Van Lam High School (Ca Mau City) is still moved when talking about Luu Thi Han Quyen, a poor student with extraordinary determination. After the incident of losing her father, Quyen did not give up. She was both a good student and helped her mother with many jobs to take care of her family. Quyen's story was shared on the program "Lighting up the Faith" (Vinh Long Radio and Television Station), from which she received attention, scholarships and a great opportunity to change her life. Quyen graduated from Tourism , has a stable job in Ca Mau and continues to inspire students to live beautifully.

“There is also the “glass bone” student Vo Thi Huynh Nhu, a special candidate in the 2021 high school graduation exam, whose story was very touching in the Ca Mau Newspaper. From that article, Mr. Trinh Huynh An, then Deputy Director of the Binh Duong University Branch in Ca Mau, visited her at home and proposed to award her a full 4-year university scholarship. Now she is a senior student majoring in Information Technology. A truly precious journey that the press has contributed to opening up,” Ms. Nhu Ngoc recalled.

Not only Quyen or Nhu, in many schools in the province, the press is increasingly considered a close companion, actively contributing to supporting the education sector. Not stopping at reporting articles, the press has joined hands with schools, authorities and benefactors to organize many practical activities: giving scholarships, bicycles, building libraries, opening reading spots... Small gifts but containing great sentiments, have become a great source of encouragement for teachers and students, especially in remote areas.

Every year, when entering the new school year, Ca Mau Newspaper connects with organizations, businesses, and benefactors to build a "Children's Playground" and award scholarships and books to help poor students in remote areas go to school.

The Principal of Dam Doi High School (Dam Doi District), one of the bright spots in the province's tradition of studiousness, noted: “I still remember the articles in Ca Mau Newspaper about disadvantaged students of Dam Doi High School. The true, emotional stories touched the hearts of many benefactors. There were students who were at risk of dropping out of school due to not being able to pay tuition fees, but after just one article, they received regular scholarships until they graduated from grade 12; there were also students who were introduced to receive assistance during their university studies. That help came very promptly, clearly demonstrating the power of the press to spread and connect the community. To me, those are very beautiful and precious images.”

“ The press is a sustainable bridge between school - students - community. It is the truth and humanity in each story that creates the strongest spreading power”, affirmed Mr. Pham Viet Hung.

Thanks to the article "Su Ril's dream of university" in Ca Mau Online Newspaper on August 3, 2021, Phan Thi Su Ril (Tran Van Thoi district) was sponsored by Ms. Huynh Hoang Anh (working at Viet Anh Primary School, Ca Mau City) for 4 years of university and Su Ril graduated with a major in Tourism and Travel Services Management.

The journey to university for poor students has never been easy. But thanks to the press - the silent "bridges of love", they have more provisions, more opportunities, and most importantly, more faith to reach their future dreams through knowledge.

Not only “speaking up for others”, the press is contributing to creating a better educational environment. Sometimes just one article is enough to open a new door to a life that seemed to have closed. With a heart and responsibility to the community, in each story of real people and real events, the press is still lighting up the light of faith, compassion and the desire to live every day./.

Bang Thanh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/nhung-trang-viet-canh-song-geo-mam-tri-thuc-a39745.html