Respond to skepticism with results
In early October last year (2024), the weather in the old Binh Dinh province (now the new Gia Lai province) gradually became more extreme when the rainy and wind season turned. My young colleague and I on a motorbike, both of whom traveled dozens of kilometers to follow the address in the rescue petition sent by the Tay Son District Health Center (old Binh Dinh), urgently asking Lao Dong Newspaper to get involved in reclaiming the legitimate regime, after 12 years of petitioning for unsuccessful benefits.
They made an appointment to meet us at a small, deserted coffee shop - where they felt safe when talking about the disadvantages they had suffered over the years. Through the introduction, a health worker boasted: "So young reporter, have you just graduated?" - the saying is half-joke, half-real, but the eyes have clearly shown hesitation.
They fear that I will " lose my hand" and "not have enough strength" to help them reclaim the regime that has been forgotten for more than a decade. They are worried about " Accusing others of wrongdoing", not being helped and being noticed and bullied. Their eyes were like worries. Because for many years, they have knocked on the doors of agencies and departments to ask about the regime they should have received since 2011 - according to Decree 56/2011/ND-CP of the Government. The sack of petitions sent away fell into silence, and hope gradually fled. To the point that some people are desperate: "I probably won't get the regime for the rest of my life".
The collective of 7 health workers - sharing the same concern, recounting the process of demanding rights for more than a decade. At the end of the conversation, my colleagues and I rushed home because the distance was quite long, and the rain had turned.
Before leaving, I reassured them with the promise: "I will not leave you guys!". From that moment on, their eyes were different. They chose to trust me, one last time.
The whole way back, the saying Youre a young reporter, youre just graduating? kept ringing in my head. It is like a stimulant, giving more determination to the journalists - the newspaper representative always standing by the workers.
And then, a series of articles "School health workers feel sorry for their rights being abandoned" appeared in Lao Dong Newspaper on October 14, 2024. Each line of text brings a seemingly forgotten story to light. Just 2 weeks after the series of articles were published, the collective of health workers will be paid the regime according to Decree 56/2011/ND-CP, starting from January 1, 2024.
After 12 years of hard work, they were finally recognized.
When the pen is used to soothe pain
The day they took the first allowance, they burst into tears, quickly reporting good news to me. Those who have previously quietly stood outside the policy have now been named and recognized by a decision to pay the regime. In a thank you, a shy person said: "I apologize, I used to suspect you were too young to do this."
A few days later, I received a handwritten letter with the letters tilted, all in a hurry but could not hide my joy.
That is a thank you letter from the collective of health workers - a sincere, warm and warm thank you sent to Lao Dong Newspaper, sent to me - a young reporter who was skeptical at the first meeting.
"We are extremely happy and overwhelmingly happy to receive the regime that we should have enjoyed since the birth of Decree 56, but only now do we enjoy it. As words of encouragement, as a huge spiritual gift that is very meaningful, contributing to increasing strength so that we can work with peace of mind, make every effort to contribute to the cultivation of people... - in the letter, they wrote.
For a journalist like me, there is no greater reward than that. The letter is not only a thank you, but like a small spark, lighting the fire of the profession in the hearts of young journalists. My colleagues and I held the letter, feeling wonky and indescribable.
For me, journalism is not only about reporting and reflecting correctly, but also contributing to building and correcting mistakes in life. The lines I write have gone beyond the framework of the press, becoming the voice of justice, bringing justice to those who have silently contributed and been forgotten for many years.
The article, which was thought to have only words and photos, turned out to be able to soothe pain and sadness. And sometimes, just one pen at the right time is enough to end a series of failed days that have lasted for more than a decade.
