USSH — Notes by Professor Pham Dinh Lan (Faculty of Journalism and Communication) on the visit and gift-giving trip of the Cluster of 5 Schools' Trade Unions to students and teachers in Bac Kan at the end of December 2012.
When teachers dress up as Santa Claus
The morning of Christmas Day was chilly. Heavy fog clung to the branches of trees and swirled over the mountaintops, signaling the approaching monsoon. In the village, children called out to each other as they headed to school, their hair still glistening with cold dew. Today was Sunday, the first day of Christmas, bringing them a unique joy. In just a little while, they would receive gifts from their teachers from the cluster of five universities in Hanoi. Associate Professor Dr. Dang Xuan Khang - Chairman of the Trade Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - said: "This is an annual activity of the university in recent years and the first time we have coordinated with a cluster of 5 universities in Hanoi including: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Natural Sciences, University of Technology, University of Civil Engineering and National Economics University, participating in the program launched by the Vietnam Education Trade Union to support education in mountainous and remote areas. This support trip is for 600 students and 60 teachers with difficult circumstances who have actively strived to achieve high results in teaching and learning at 12 primary, high school and junior high schools in Bac Kan province." The road from the provincial highway to Xuat Hoa primary school is not far but still has many scattered rocks and dirt. The mountain slope acts as a natural shoulder for the school to lean on, shielding it from the north wind. Nearly twenty teachers from five universities came today like Santa Clauses without red coats and hats, bringing practical gifts and showing empathy and support for their colleagues here who are working tirelessly day and night to educate and nurture these children. The more than 150 million VND in support, the result of contributions from the teachers of the five universities, represents sincere affection and sharing; though not a large sum, it is deeply humane. Seeing the children's joyful and innocent faces, many members of the delegation couldn't hold back tears of emotion. The gifts will give the children more motivation to continue overcoming difficulties, studying hard, and striving to become useful members of society in the future.
Spirit of overcoming difficulties
When asked about the school, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Deputy Principal of Xuat Hoa Primary School, shared: “Currently, the school has 21 teachers and staff and 194 students. The school still faces many difficulties, including temporary classrooms. We don't have a cafeteria, so we have to rely on cooking at local homes. However, we don't let that diminish other aspects; we always focus on improving the professional skills of our teachers. At the same time, teaching must go hand in hand with nurturing the students, as they are at an age where their personalities are developing. These efforts have been recognized by all levels, and the school has achieved the title of advanced school for many consecutive years.” Nguyen Thi Cam Ly is a special student who unfortunately suffers from leukemia and requires frequent blood transfusions. Despite her difficult family circumstances, she remains determined to attend class with her teacher and friends. With willpower and determination, her illness has not defeated her. Li is always a good student at the school, becoming a role model for her peers. Hứa Minh Hiếu, Đàm Quang Hưng, and many other students come from impoverished families, but with the encouragement of their teachers, they have strived to study well. When asked how they would use the gifts they received, Nông Thị Uyên, a top student in class 5A, replied: “I’ll give them to my mother to keep so that when I go to the town, I can buy more books and notebooks. I like the fairy tale and fable books the most…”
The road ahead
A colleague working at the National Economics University confided: "It's true that poverty spares no one if people give up, but it can't do anything if people know how to subdue it." That statement has a philosophical undertone, and it seems my colleague partly learned it from this recent experience. The spirit of mutual support and compassion within the community is a beautiful quality, a treasure that we must utilize, preserve, and develop. Associate Professor Dr. Le Thi Minh Loan (Head of the Women's Affairs Committee of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) said with a touch of sadness: "Only by going there can we fully understand the difficulties faced by students and teachers in mountainous and remote areas. Each child wears a thin, fragile shirt and simple, worn-out sandals, weathered by time and the long journey to school. Only by going there can we see and understand. And only then can we truly empathize and share. Our ancestors had a saying: 'A little help when hungry is worth more than a lot when full.' Ahead lies the road. The road for people from the lowlands to reach the people, the students, and teachers in mountainous and remote areas is wide open. To achieve this, even small acts of sharing require a compassionate heart and a sense of responsibility."
