Volunteer to go to the most difficult place
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Nga (born in 1993) is a teacher, Secretary of the Youth Union, and Head of the Association of Ma Da Kindergarten, Tri An Commune, Dong Nai Province. During the 2024-2025 school year, Ms. Nga volunteered to work at Cay Sung School, the most disadvantaged and deprived area of the commune, more than ten kilometers from the central school.
That school year, a colleague was assigned to Cay Sung school but had an urgent family matter. Ms. Nga did not hesitate to volunteer to take over the task for her colleague. "When my friend was in such a situation, I volunteered to go to the forest that year so that he could go home and take care of his family," Ms. Nga shared.
Teacher Nguyen Thi Thu Nga has been in the profession for 11 years. Photo: NVCC
"Going to the forest" is how Ms. Nga and her colleagues talk about the journey to class with the children in Cay Sung. The teachers have to cross a deserted red dirt road with no phone signal through the forest canopy.
"During the dry season, it's dusty. Just walking behind another motorbike makes my face red with dust. Students keep asking what Ms. Nga puts on her face. During the rainy season, it's muddy, the road is full of potholes, and while driving, you can hear a loud crash. My colleague and I often joke that we shouldn't drop our motorbike in the middle of a puddle," Ms. Nga said.
It was on that challenging path that her love for children in disadvantaged areas became the motivation for her to keep going every day.
At Cay Sung, most of her students are ethnic minority children, whose families are farmers or hired laborers, and whose lives are still full of hardship. Understanding that, she not only teaches but also becomes a friend and a second mother to the children.
The fire of succession and the heart of a gentle mother
"My family has a tradition of teaching," Ms. Nga said proudly. Her love for the profession has motivated her not only to complete her duties but also to do better.
With 11 years in the profession, the fire that her family passed on to Nga has never cooled. She does not consider teaching as just a job, but a mission. She worries about every scribble, every meal, every shirt of her students. Understanding the hardships of the children, she has become a tireless "activist".
Ms. Nga actively connects and mobilizes donors to donate resources to support the school's students. Photo: NVCC
With her enthusiasm and prestige, she proactively connected with donors and mobilized hundreds of gifts. These included canopies, shelves, blinds, and fans to make the classroom more spacious. They also included necessities, tuition support, and valuable meals for disadvantaged students.
For her, happiness is sometimes just the clear eyes and bright smiles of her students. That affection is so strong that many years after the students have grown up, the memory of Ms. Nga is still intact.
"There are some children I have taught since I graduated from school, now they are in 9th and 10th grade. If we accidentally meet them on the street, they still fold their hands and greet Ms. Nga politely. Hearing that warms my heart," she said emotionally.
Endless creativity, youthful enthusiasm
Ms. Nga is also an enthusiastic and creative Youth Union officer. She has initiated many effective models such as "Green Youth Union" or "Youth project of traditional medicine garden" - where children can take care of plants and learn about nature. Programs such as "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival" and "Spring Connection - Tet Sharing" organized by her have become real festivals, bringing laughter and memorable childhood memories to children in disadvantaged areas.
Teacher Nguyen Thu Nga. Photo: NVCC
In her professional work, she always researches and innovates. Her initiative “Measures to improve the effectiveness of letter familiarization activities for 5-6 year old children” has been recognized and widely applied, helping children become familiar with letters in the most natural and effective way.
With the belief that "if I live, I just work with all my heart, give love and I will definitely receive love in return", teacher Nguyen Thi Nga has been using her life and work to spread beautiful values.
Up to now, teacher Nguyen Thi Thu Nga has been recognized with many awards. Including a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister, a Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Education and Training ; awarded the title of Outstanding Young Party Member of Dong Nai Province in 2025; "Advanced Youth Following Uncle Ho's Teachings" of Dong Nai Province in 2025.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Nga is one of 20 examples honored at the "Youth Living Beautifully" award ceremony in 2025 organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union in coordination with TCP Vietnam Company on the evening of October 11 in Hanoi .
Source: https://tienphong.vn/co-giao-9x-tinh-nguyen-di-rung-geo-chu-post1786260.tpo
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