The head of the Youth Union deducted his salary and set up a fund so that students would not have to go to school hungry.

For many years, in a small school in An Giang province, there has been a teacher who has quietly kept poor students from going to class hungry.

Teacher Giang presents young bamboo projects to students in difficult circumstances - Photo: NVCC

That teacher is Nguyen Truong Giang, 45 years old, a teacher in charge of the Youth Union with 24 years of working experience at Tran Hung Dao Secondary School (Binh Duc ward).

I hope to contribute a small part so that children can go to school with the most peace of mind, at least not worry about going hungry when going to school.

Mr. NGUYEN TRUONG GIANG

Contribute a little to students

Three times a week, at around 8:40, when the school gym bell has just finished ringing, a long line of students lines up neatly at the small table next to the canteen. In their hands are slips with their names and classes written on them, and in front of them are simple yet warm meals.

In that scene, Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang was always present to count the votes, ask questions and monitor each student carefully. His neatness and quietness made this familiar scene an indispensable part of Tran Hung Dao Secondary School.

The idea of ​​the Sharing Club began with memories of his childhood deprivation. When recalling, his voice dropped: "When I was young, the four of us grew up in a difficult family, our parents had to borrow money everywhere. There were times when my mother skipped breakfast to give it to us but still said 'I already ate'. Many days there was only bread, cold rice, corn..."

During his work, he often encountered students who had to skip breakfast, were exhausted, and even fainted from hunger. He started by taking money from his own pocket to support each student to go to the cafeteria to have breakfast.

"I hope to contribute a small part so that the children can go to school with the most peace of mind, at least not worrying about going hungry when they go to school" - he shared. But when the number increases, the young teachers' wallets cannot handle it.

He laughed when recalling that time: "The salary at that time was very low... five or seven people coming down to eat for a week would make me short. Then I confided in my colleagues, luckily everyone sympathized and contributed."

Teacher Giang gives breakfast to students - Photo: THANH TUAN

Spread the hearts

That love paved the way for other hearts. Around 2018-2019, the model received regular support from Ms. Nuong and Mr. Man (Long Xuyen volunteer group). From 2020 to now, they have maintained a support level of 2 million VND per month to help the Sharing Club operate stably, no longer having to struggle like before.

Currently, the Sharing Club supports 23 fixed breakfast meals, which take place two or three times a week, with priority given to students with especially difficult circumstances. In addition, students who encounter sudden difficulties can go to Mr. Giang's room to receive support in the form of cakes, rice cakes or instant noodles.

When asked about the difficulties in maintaining the model, Mr. Giang revealed: "The most difficult thing is the students' psychology. At first, they were afraid of being teased by their friends as 'begging' so they did not dare to come down to receive support. The first thing to do is to help them overcome the psychological barrier, to understand that this is not begging but sharing. Now they are used to it, no longer have the same shy mentality as before."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy (teacher, Deputy Secretary of the school's Party Cell) said: "This is the first model in Long Xuyen City. When Mr. Giang proposed the idea, all teachers supported it, philanthropists and parents also joined hands. I myself personally cooked food to distribute to students."

Having spent 20 of his 24 years working as a Team Leader, Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang sees this job as a long-term journey, requiring patience and dedication. His greatest joy does not lie in certificates or achievements, but in witnessing the innocence and carefreeness of his students and being able to help them in the most ordinary moments of life.

"The students often come close to talk to me. At that time, I feel like I am both a teacher and a friend," Mr. Giang said with a smile.

There is no shortage of pressure in the work of a general manager. He shared: "If you are not dedicated and persistent enough, you cannot do it for a long time. You cannot do this alone, you need the support of colleagues, the school and the community."

Love for students

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy commented: "To be successful in education , teachers must have love for their students. Love that comes from the heart can reach the students, their parents and the community. And Mr. Giang has done it."

Mr. Giang cherishes the desire that the education sector provides many playgrounds, life skills, ethical experiences, and compulsory topics such as traffic safety or law. At the same time, he hopes to be able to support students with the most essential needs so that each child can learn, live, and grow up in the full care of their family and community.

THANH TUAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thay-tong-phu-trach-doi-trich-luong-lap-quy-de-hoc-tro-khong-phai-bung-doi-di-hoc-20251202101345393.htm