Silently sow the word of love

Coming to group 6, Tan Thanh ward ( Ca Mau city), asking about the charity class, eliminating illiteracy of Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet (64 years old), almost everyone knows. This special class has been maintained for more than 20 years, is a place to teach many children in difficult circumstances.

Every day, in a room of more than 40 square meters, the old tables and chairs, the sound of children babbling and practicing spelling and reading has become a familiar sound to the people around.

There are 2 classes here, each class has about 20 students. The morning class is for children who cannot read yet (grade 1) and the time is from 7:30 to 9:30. The afternoon class is a mixed class for grades 2, 3 and 4, and the time is from 2:00 to 4:00.

Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet said that the charity class was established by the parish. It started more than 20 years ago, when the parish priest went to give gifts to poor families, he noticed that many children could not go to school, could not read and write, and had to follow their parents to earn a living every day, so he felt very sympathetic.

Upon returning, the parish priest decided to open a charity class and asked Ms. Thiet - who was then an elementary school teacher in Ca Mau City and also a member of the parish - to teach the class.

“At first, I accepted to teach the charity class just to obey the priest, but the more I taught, the more I sympathized with the children’s circumstances and wanted to stay with the class. From when I was a teacher until I retired, it has been more than 20 years. Many young people saw me teaching alone and wanted to help, but they usually only lasted a few months and then quit because they were not used to the children’s learning environment and other personal reasons,” Ms. Thiet shared.

For over 20 years, Ms. Thiet has had many memories of the charity class. She said that before the classroom was raised, because it was located near the river, during the rainy season or high tides, the classroom was often flooded, and teachers and students had to teach and learn in the water. Seeing the little students wade to class, not daring to put their feet on the floor, she felt heartbroken.

“On March 8, October 20 or November 20, many students here also know how to give gifts to their teachers, it is simply a flower, a pen, but it also makes me feel warm. Some students even write poems to their teachers, reading the poems, the students are moved with tears, happy that their students have mastered the letters”, Ms. Thiet sadly said.

The joy of literacy

Le Tan Luc is over 20 years old this year but has just started first grade. He shared that coming to class with his teacher and friends is very fun. He is very grateful to his teacher for teaching him how to read and write. Now he can write his name, he is very happy.

Nguyen Huu Hau, 14 years old, added that his family is in a difficult situation, his parents are living in rented accommodation, he is very afraid that if his family moves to another place he will not be able to continue studying here, he loves his teacher very much and does not want to be away from her.

Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet writes on the board.

Ms. Tran Ngoc Lien said that she has two children attending Ms. Thiet's charity class. One child was able to officially enroll in the school after learning to read and write, while the other child is still attending.

“My husband and I are illiterate and really want our children to go to school, but we don’t have the means. When our children come home from Ms. Thiet’s class and boast that they can read and write, we are very happy. Many times when we go out, our children read signs and it makes us very happy. My family is grateful to Ms. Thiet for her dedication in teaching our children to read and write,” Ms. Lien shared.

To teach better, Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet regularly self-study, update knowledge from books, learn how to build discipline and teaching methods suitable for the new program, helping students to catch up with the program when they officially come to school.

Students attentively listen to Ms. Thiet lecture.

Although busy with housework and taking care of her elderly mother, Ms. Thiet still goes to class regularly twice a day and rarely misses a day.

For more than 20 years of spreading love, Ms. Thiet cannot remember how many children she has helped learn to read and write, how many children have been able to attend formal school. Every time she hears that one of her students is being praised for being good and studious, she feels excited and happy as if she has won the lottery.

“This teaching profession seems to be ingrained in my blood, it is very sad to stop teaching, I miss my students, so I have to go through rain and wind. I just hope to have good health to continue this unpaid job, until my health does not allow it, I cannot walk, my mind is no longer clear, then I will stop teaching”, Ms. Le Thi Thu Thiet shared.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/lop-xoa-mu-chu-hon-20-nam-o-ca-mau-post752714.html