Nurturing dreams of literacy.

Behind every written word lies the shadow of those who silently sow love. These are people who have chosen to accompany children with sincerity and a belief that literacy can open up a different path for their lives.

The innocent smiles of the children at the Viet Fire Club (Tan Phu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) - Photo: BE HIEU

Where love remains with words.

In a classroom measuring just 15 square meters, the children are diligently studying each letter.

Some children are orphans, living off the kindness of relatives. Others have parents who struggle every day, sacrificing their strength to provide for their daily meals and clothing.

Some children, when asked about their dreams, simply whispered, "I want to be a car washer." Although fate may have drawn uneven lines in their lives, deep down they share a common yearning to learn, to write, and to break free from their narrow circumstances through education.

"For over 11 years, I've been dedicated to helping these children learn to read and write, but each year I still worry about where they will go and what will become of them when they leave the embrace of the classroom," said Mr. Huynh Ngoc Dinh, head of the Lua Viet Club, emotionally.

In a 15m² classroom, for 11 years, hundreds of underprivileged children have come together to learn to read and write, thanks to the love and care of those who silently support them.

Not every student has the opportunity to continue their education on the long journey to obtain a secondary or high school diploma.

Some students have had to stop early because of the need to earn a living. "Every year, many students 'graduate,' they smile, but I feel a pang of sadness," Mr. Dinh shared.

From the moment these children "graduate" from primary school, their lives turn a new page, a journey without the presence of their teachers. The hope of those who accompany them on their educational journey is that they will have the health and strength to overcome their own limitations and the adversities that fate has brought them upon themselves.

"Don't think of yourself as unhappy, just think of life as inconvenient. And whatever is inconvenient, there's always a way to solve it" - these are the words Mr. Dinh has shared with his students every graduation season.

In a small classroom at the Viet Fire Club, there was a teacher and student who had quietly been together for nearly a decade.

Dang Truc Anh, 22 years old, is now a fourth-year law student at Trung Vuong University. Truc Anh was once a student in the class, and now she teaches and guides students at the very place where she studied.

Truc Anh (in the red shirt) accompanies and guides the children in each lesson - Photo: BE HIEU

Truc Anh first learned about Lua Viet in 8th grade when she attended extra classes for basic academic subjects. By 9th grade, Truc Anh became a volunteer, assisting teachers in teaching and caring for young children.

In her senior year of high school, Truc Anh began teaching as a volunteer. Without a teaching degree or formal training, the young girl diligently studied each lesson and prepared each class with all the love she had for her students.

Now, after 8 years of dedication to the Viet Fire Club, Truc Anh has witnessed many children grow up. Some who once only knew the alphabet are now in middle and high school. Some continue their education, while others choose to start working early due to their circumstances.

"Maybe in the future I'll be busy with work, busy with my own life. But if I can, I'll still come back, even if only for a few hours, because this place is my home," Truc Anh shared.

There are some people who can't bear to leave.

Mr. Ho Kim Long (43 years old, volunteer martial arts instructor) and his wife, Ms. Le Ngoc Mai (41 years old, volunteer cook), are two people who came and were reluctant to leave.

Understanding the concerns of parents entrusting their children to the club, the couple, along with Mr. Dinh, strive to fulfill their mission of caring for, nurturing, and educating the children from the basics.

Mr. Long is present at the martial arts class for children after a long day at work - Photo: BE HIEU

During the day, Long works as a truck driver, traveling long distances. When he has free time, he returns to the workshop to do extra work repairing glass. But for him, a day only truly ends after he completes his third job: teaching martial arts, a role he has been dedicated to for over five years with the children at the Lửa Việt martial arts club.

Long studied martial arts over 20 years ago. But then the demands of making a living swept him away, forcing him to temporarily put his passion aside. Until the day he met the children again in Mr. Huynh Ngoc Dinh's class.

Seeing those kids like that, I feel so sorry for them. I teach them not only martial arts, but also how to be confident and stand tall in life. The fact that they are willing to learn gives me a reason to rekindle my old passion.

Mr. Ho Kim Long

As for Mai, she simply brought her son to the club with Long. But after several interactions, seeing the children from diverse backgrounds gathering to practice and play, she grew to love them as if they were her own.

"The children are always well-behaved and understanding. Initially, they only helped Mr. Dinh with some cooking, but gradually they became close and have stayed until now," Ms. Mai shared.

The team of "junior kitchen assistants" each have a task to help Ms. Mai - Photo: BE HIEU

For nearly six years, she has been assisting Mr. Dinh in caring for the children. As for volunteer cooking, Ms. Mai has been working alongside the class for almost a year now. Whenever she rolls up her sleeves to cook, she's surrounded by a group of "little kitchen helpers," each with a knife and cutting board in hand, eagerly learning how to prepare vegetables, chop ingredients, and season the food.

"At first, only one or two kids helped me, but then they saw it and wanted to join in. One of them cut his hand on the first try. Now they're used to it, and they're all very quick and skillful," Mai said, smiling gently as she recounted the story.

Those once clumsy little hands now know how to pick vegetables to help the class's special chef. They are not only learning to cook, but also learning to share and appreciate what they have.

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CHILD HIEU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/uom-mam-nhung-uoc-mo-tim-con-chu-20250829161129647.htm