On weekends, there is always the laughter of children in the "Charity Class" co-organized by Hiep An ward’s Study Promotion Association and Youth Union at the ward’s Center for Culture, Sports and Community Learning in Thu Dau Mot city. There is no drum to give the signal of class time. It is only the hum of poor students. Coming to this class, children can learn cultural subjects and life skills free of charge
Free class
We visited the “Charity class” of Hiep An ward on the last day of June. Right from the moment we entered the courtyard of the ward’s Community Learning, Sports and Culture Center, we heard the sound of lectures of teachers, children's reading voice. With the motto not to let any poor students drop out of school because of difficult circumstances, Hiep An ward created all favorable conditions for the local children to go to school over the past time. With the desire of creating a playground and adding more knowledge for children in summer days, the ward’s Study Promotion Association has cooperated with the ward’s Youth Union to organize a "Charity Class" to teach children with difficult circumstances.
The charity is held on Saturday and Sunday every week during the summer at the ward’s Center for Culture, Sports and Community Learning. Coming to this class, children are learnt cultural subjects as well as necessary life skills. Currently, the class has nearly 30 pupils of all ages. The children are provided with enough learning tools, including backpacks, books, notebooks, pens, rulers, etc. In addition, the ward also organizes fun activities, supplements life skills for pupils at the class. They also have an opportunity to participate in English lessons taught by foreign teachers.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ngu, Vice-Chairwoman of Hiep An ward’s People's Committee said that the class was established in early June in response to the 2023 Action Month for Children. The ward’s Learning Promotion Association and Youth Union have mobilized permanent teachers at Nguyen Hien Primary School in Hiep An ward; volunteer students at Thu Dau Mot University with majors in English language and mathematics to ensure teaching conditions for children at the class. The teachers in this special class come to children with the volunteer spirit of youth with the desire of sharing their difficulties.
Bringing love to poor children
Nguyen Quoc Hung is one of pupils with quite special circumstances in the class. Although being 8 years old this year, Hung could not go to school, due to his family's difficulties. Seeing a stranger enter the class, the boy hesitantly looked out and then lowered his head to carefully refine each word.
When understanding Hung's situation, the ward mobilized his family to let him attend the charity class. After more than a month of going to the class, Hung is now getting used to the first letters and numbers. Hung shyly shared with us: "Going to class, I is taught by teachers and meet many new friends, so I’m very happy. I just hope that I can quickly read and write like my friends."
Not only Hung, most children attending this class are the offspring of families with difficult circumstances and orphans in the ward. As the person who directly teaches and follows up with the children, Ngo Thi Hong Ngan said that she happened to see information about the class on the ward's fanpage, so she quickly registered to participate in teaching. “The reason for joining this class is simply because I want to share with children in difficult circumstances. Teaching children to read, write, calculate and seeing them smile every day when coming to the class is my great joy. I will try to arrange time to accompany them more in the future”, Mrs. Ngan added.
After each lesson, teachers here also organize cultural-sports activities in order to create the motivation in learning for pupils, helping them be more self-confident. Talking to us, Nguyen Duc Huy, Secretary of Hiep An ward’s Youth Union said: “Our initial idea was to open summer classes and create a summer playground for children. But after being opened, this class has become a very meaningful activity and received the attention and support of the local leaders. In the coming time, we will try to maintain the class to be able to give more support for children".
Saying farewell to the class, I was agitated suddenly. Each child has a different situation, but in the end, they are all poor girls and boys. Hopefully, such charity classes will be opened so that we can bring letters and love to poor-but-excellent children...
Reported by Hong Phuong-Translated by Kim Tin
