(VOVWORLD) - When students in Ho Chi Minh City returned to school after the long pandemic, a free class for poor children reopened at 18 LinhTrung street. The class serves students whose families are struggling financially and cannot afford to pay tuition fees. The aim is to help these kids escape poverty and grow up to be good citizens.
Class begins at 6pm each day for15 children of various ages who are unable to attend a public school. A pupil named Danh Quang went with his grandmother to another province and when he returned, he had forgotten all his lessons and had to relearn his ABCs.
"I want to learn. It’s really exciting going to class with teachers who teach me things and lots of friends who make me happ," said Quang.
 The lessons follow no particular lesson plan because each child is at a different level (Photo: VOV)
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Mrs. Dang Thi Dan, 63, is Danh Quang’s grandmother. She often sits outside the classroom watching her grandson learn. She says she has looked after Dang since his parents died. Dang often stays home alone because she goes to work early in the morning and comes home quite late. This evening class has brought great joy to 7-year-old Quang.
"My grandson is happy attending this class. I hope he learns how to read and write, and I hope the class will continue, so my grandson will have a place to learn,” said Dan.
 The teachers believe that children equipped with knowledge will contribute to the betterment of society (Photo: VOV) |
Teacher Ninh Viet Tri has taught this class for 4 years. He says most of the children in this class are poor. Some of them have to work to help support their family. Tri receives no pay for his time, but he and the two other teachers teach the lessons with great dedication. The lessons follow no particular lesson plan because each child is at a different level.
The fact that more and more students are coming to attend the class makes the teachers believe in what they are doing. Tri said: “Many students must work to help support their family from a young age. We inject into the lessons some vital soft skills not provided by the textbooks which we hope will help them in their daily lives. We hope the epidemic will be soon be under control so classes like this can get back to normal."
Nguyen Hoang Nam is one of the school’s volunteers. He rides 12 kilometers from his office to this class every day. For Nam, being able to support the teachers and the students is a way to contribute to the development of his city.
“I was really nervous and shy on the first day. Now I come to the class with the intention of teaching the students all I’ve learned, which makes me more relaxed. The children learn quite fast, and that makes me very happy,” Nam said.
“If I learn how to read and write, I can go work with my brother and earn money to build a house for my grandmother.” “I want to become a doctor and fight against COVID.” “I want to be a famous YouTuber.”
Those are some of the answers given when the children were asked about their future plans. The class is trying to help those dreams come true. The teachers believe that children equipped with knowledge will contribute to the betterment of society.