 Nguyen Tran Vy has taught at a school in the most remote area in Nam Tra My district, Quang Nam province, for nearly 20 years. (Photo: VOV) |
Nguyen Tran Vy of Vu A Dinh Semi-Boarding Primary School for Ethnic Minorities in Nam Tra My district is loved and respected by his pupils.
20 years ago, after graduating from a local teachers’ training college, Vy worked at several primary schools in the poor district. Recalling his early days of teaching, Vy said he and his students had to walk a long way to a school with makeshift classrooms surrounded by mountains, clouds, and forests. In the summer, the classroom was extremely hot and in the rainy season water leaked through the roof. The school was in poor condition and lacked basic facilities, Vy said.
“It was difficult then. I had to walk 5 kilometers to get to school. As a homeroom teacher, I visited pupils’ homes to persuade them to come to school. I saw how difficult their lives were. They didn’t have enough warm clothes or food, but they still studied attentively. This made me want to stay and do something to help them.” Vy established a club called “Love Connection” whose members were teachers and local volunteers willing to repair the dilapidated schools and build new ones.
Ho Dao Phuoc, a parent in Tra Van commune, says that three years ago, Ong Ruong village school in the commune was in poor condition and lacked facilities. Thanks to Vy and support from individuals and organizations, a new 15,000-USD school was built covering an area of 500 square meters, which included a classroom, a dormitory, a playground, and a canteen.
“Teacher Vy has helped build schools and playgrounds, which has encouraged more local children to go to school. As a parent, I was very moved,” said Phuoc.
 Teacher Vy and other members of the “Love Connection” club have built many schools in Nam Tra My district. (Photo: VOV) |
Vy and other members of the “Love Connection” club have built 60 schools with 140 classrooms, kitchens, and toilets. Nguyen Thi Tham, a teacher at Hoa Mi kindergarten in Nam Tra My district, said she and her colleagues joined the club to help Vy give the pupils a better life.
“Teacher Vy always takes care of the pupils. He has done a lot of good things for them,” she said.
Vy is so dedicated to his pupils that he is often away from home for 3 months at a time. Despite his busy work schedule during the week, at the weekend he travels to remote villages to help the disadvantaged people there.
“I hope to build more schools for disadvantaged students. I also plan to mobilize support to build roads to help the children get to school in remote mountain areas.”