A young teacher with a dream to fill “empty bookshelves” so that children in the mountains can be “full of words”
For eight years, that dream has guided her mission to bring books to remote regions. She has established more than 2,000 libraries across mountain schools, a testament to her love and unwavering commitment.
In March 2023, the “Nuoi Em Bookshelves” project was launched, led by Ms. Minh Ngoc, with the aim of cultivating a love for reading among children in the highlands. From those small bookshelves, many smiles have been sown and many dreams have taken root. At Thai Giang Pho Primary School (Lao Cai), students showed their appreciation for Ms. Ngoc by creating a special handmade wall newspaper.
A special classroom where “students” bring more medicine than notebooks
In the heart of bustling Hanoi, a small classroom is filled with warm laughter and gentle English greetings. Teacher Phung Thi Hai Yen has spent seven years teaching English free of charge to her “special students”, the elderly aged 60 to 84.
Inside the cozy room, their “school supplies” are unlike any other: instead of backpacks, they bring blister packs of medication, pairs of glasses, or cups of warm tea. Ms. Yen says these “learning supplies” make her deeply emotional because she has never seen students so determined; they never want to miss a single class. Rain or shine, aching joints or tired days notwithstanding, they still show up, smiling kindly and saying in simple English: “Today I’m happy!”
The “one-legged” teacher who has spent 16 years securing scholarships for disadvantaged students
Sixteen years ago, a tragic accident took away the left leg of teacher Nguyen Thi Minh Tam. In an instant, she went from being an able-bodied teacher to a person with disabilities, stepping into a new life path full of hardship, yet filled with human kindness.
In 2015, she founded the Nhat Tam Charity Group, with the mission of supporting vulnerable people and helping poor students stay in education. Over the years, hundreds of scholarships have been awarded, providing children with the opportunity to continue their education and achieving their dreams.
One of the “seeds of kindness” she has nurtured is Duc Huy, now a first-year student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education. Today, the formerly shy student has returned to help Minh Tam in her mission to support other children, continuing the circle of compassion she began.
She may have lost a part of her body, but from that loss, thousands of steps have been taken by the students she has helped learn, grow, and dream.
Don’t miss “Kind Deeds - November: Sowing Smiles”, produced with the companionship of THACO - Truong Hai Corporation. It airs at 20:10 on November 8 on VTV1 and on the VTVgo app. Tune in to experience the gentle happiness that blooms from every smile.\
