The learning determination of the "tiny boy" in Quang Ngai

Although he is 20 years old, Dinh Hoang Khit (Hang Gon village, Son Ha commune, Quang Ngai province) is less than 1m tall, weighs only 18kg, looks like a "tiny boy" among his friends of the same age. However, Khit still persistently pursues his studies, currently a student of class 12C6, Son Ha High School.

Clip: The will to study of a tiny boy in Quang Ngai . Made by: NGUYEN TRANG

Every day at school is a happy day

Every morning, Dinh Hoang Khit carefully pedals his small bicycle for elementary school students, regularly traveling nearly 5km to Son Ha High School.

Teacher Vo Thi Bich Hiep is guiding students to write English vocabulary. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

During the English class of class 12C6, I sat at the first desk in the classroom, diligently listening to the lecture of teacher Vo Thi Bich Hiep and taking careful notes in my notebook. Sometimes, when I pronounced English incorrectly, teacher Hiep gently corrected me.

Although he is 20 years old, Khit is still like a "tiny boy" with a height of less than 1m and a weight of only 18kg. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

I still tried to study and attend class regularly during my time at Son Ha High School. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Teacher Hiep shared: “Despite his disability, Khit tries very hard in his studies. English is a difficult subject, but he always tries to approach it. He did very well in the multiple choice section, but he still has many difficulties in writing and pronunciation. What I appreciate is that even though he is slower than his friends, he always tries and never gives up.”

Playing with his classmates. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Dinh Ho Dong Phuong is Khit's closest friend. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

In class 12C6, Dinh Ho Dong Phuong is Khit's closest friend. From the moment they met, Phuong took the initiative to get to know him and wanted to become his friend. "Khit's situation is very special, his life is difficult so we always want to help. In English, I share pronunciation and vocabulary with him, in Math I teach him how to use the calculator, and in Literature I teach him how to read and understand the lesson. One day, I came to his house and we studied together for fun," Phuong shared.

Homeroom teacher Dinh Thi Thu Ha still vividly remembers her feelings on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year, when she received a new student in class 12C6. “At that time, I was really surprised to see a tiny student sitting under the desk,” she said. After doing some research, she learned that Khit had to work very hard to keep up with the curriculum.

Khit shares about life and the joys of going to school with his homeroom teacher. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Ms. Dinh Thi Thu Ha recalls her feelings when she first met Khit. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

At first, Khit was quite shy, quiet and just listened quietly to lectures. But with the encouragement of teachers and the love of friends, he gradually became more confident and more sociable with everyone. “Khit really likes physical education class, especially the soccer matches with his friends,” Ms. Ha shared.

She confided that this was the first time she had been in charge of a disabled student, so she felt both pity and worry. She said: “I always try to encourage and motivate him a little more, and pay closer attention than the other students. I also ask the students sitting next to me to support him, so that Khit always feels loved.”

In her arms

Mrs. Dinh Thi Ninh (80 years old), Khit's grandmother, choked up as she said: "When he was born, Khit only weighed about 0.8 kg, as small as an adult's hand, even though he was born full-term." From the moment he was born, he was more disadvantaged than many other children. Before he was even one year old, his parents divorced, his father went abroad, his mother remarried, and Khit stayed behind to depend on his grandparents.

After school, Khit rides his small bike home. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Many people are familiar with the image of a small 12th grade boy on a bicycle for elementary school students. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Mrs. Ninh said: “At that time, I didn’t know where to get milk for my grandchild, so I had to cook thin porridge for him. We had a few chickens at home, and every now and then I would catch one to cook porridge for him.” Despite her old age and weak body, she still struggled to take care of her sick grandfather and her young grandchild, supporting the whole family.

Khit's 80-year-old grandmother still tries to raise her grandson every day. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Wanting to go to school, she saved up every penny to buy notebooks and books for her grandchild. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Mrs. Ninh recalls that the day her grandson expressed his desire to go to school, she was both happy and worried. She saved up every penny to buy him some notebooks and a small bicycle to use as a means of transportation to school. “Many days, he didn’t have money for breakfast, so I had to borrow 20,000 VND for him. If he wanted to go to school, I would let him go, as long as he was happy.”

Grandmother shares about her and her grandchild's life. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Khit shared: “I know I am at a disadvantage compared to my friends, not born like everyone else, so sometimes I feel sad, but I do not allow myself to be self-conscious. I always try and make an effort every day to not let down my grandparents who raised me. I will try to pass the university entrance exam, to pursue my passion of being a YouTuber and playing soccer, two things I love very much.”

Helping her take care of the chickens. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Close to the dream of passing the university entrance exam so that my grandmother will no longer suffer. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, Principal of Son Ha High School, said: “From the beginning of the school year, the school has developed a separate plan for students with disabilities. In particular, it assigns specific teachers to be in charge, designs teaching plans and mid-term and final exam questions suitable to each student's ability. Homeroom teachers are experienced people who can support students with disabilities in their studies.” In addition, the school's Youth Union also implements many educational activities such as performing arts and reading clubs, creating a friendly environment for students to participate.

Teachers at Son Ha High School always encourage Khit to study hard to prepare for the graduation exam. Photo: NGUYEN TRANG

Mr. Tung said: “The school implements regulations and decrees on policies and regimes to support learning costs for disabled students. Although the amount is not large, it is a source of encouragement to help students have more determination to go to school. In addition, the school also calls on philanthropists and donors to award scholarships to students in difficult circumstances, including Khit.”

NGUYEN TRANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nghi-luc-hoc-tap-cua-cau-be-ti-hon-o-quang-ngai-post817452.html