Classroom under the roof of a hundred-year-old pagoda
With the desire to bring a meaningful and useful summer to children in difficult circumstances, the Can Tho College Union (CD) has coordinated with Nam Nha Pagoda to organize a charity summer class, lasting from July 1 to 31.
The class attracted nearly 50 students from grades 1 to 8, mainly children of poor, near-poor households, and freelance workers in the locality. Here, students can study completely free of charge basic subjects such as Math, Vietnamese, English, fine arts and IT.
The learning space is arranged at the Nam Nha pagoda library, an ancient pagoda associated with the Dong Du movement, now a bright spot in cultural and community education. Although not a regular classroom, this place is still carefully equipped with 16 computers, projectors, speakers, fans... ensuring a friendly and effective learning environment for children.
The special thing is that the teaching staff is all volunteer students of Can Tho Trade Union School, from English, information technology, etc. majors.
Nguyen Nhut Linh, a student at Can Tho Trade Union School, said that this is the third year that the class has been organized with the coordination between the school and the pagoda
For English, the volunteers will teach mainly basic grammar. In IT, we focus on computer skills so that students get acquainted and not be confused when studying officially at school" - Nhat Linh said.
Le Van Sang, a second-year student with a back injury, still regularly attends the IT class.
"Due to hand injuries, I can't write a record, but I can still use a computer to guide them. Every time I see the children laugh, I forget it, Sang said with a smile.
Sowing words, sowing faith
Not only teaching letters, students also organize extracurricular activities such as folk games, moral stories, making handicrafts... to help children practice life skills, developing comprehensively both physically and mentally. For many children, this is the first time they have been exposed to English, to computers, and to playing games in an open and friendly educational environment.
Kim Tran Gia Bao, a 6th grade student at An Thoi Secondary School (Can Tho City), said: "I have learned a lot of knowledge and more understanding. When learning to paint, children can paint many beautiful paintings to give to their parents. I feel happy to have more friends and a useful summer, helping me become more confident and more active.
Mr. Dinh Hoang Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Can Tho Trade Union School Youth Union, said that attending a summer volunteer class is an opportunity for students to promote their spirit of volunteering and apply specialized knowledge into practice.
Students majoring in applied IT and information systems can directly apply professional skills for teaching, while English students also have the opportunity to practice their abilities and improve their foreign language proficiency. Thereby, they are not only more mature but also spread the spirit of mutual love in the community.
From the peaceful pagoda roof in the heart of Can Tho, the summer of disadvantaged children has been lit up by the love and charity of young people. Each of their smiles is a seed of hope, each lesson is a small step forward on the journey to overcome circumstances.