Nu Village (Phuc Khanh, Bao Yen, Lao Cai) is the place that just experienced a terrible flash flood on September 10. The landslide from the Elephant Mountain range almost wiped out the entire village. 40 houses were buried, killing 52 people, 14 people are missing and 15 people were injured. Currently, the number of students who died after the flash flood is 13.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Khang, Chairman of the Board of Marie Curie School (Hanoi), said that in recent days, while following the tragic news of the flash flood in Lang Nu, he could not help but feel sad and always wanted to do something for the children who suddenly lost their parents or only had one parent left.
"I received a list of students injured in the flash flood from the Vice Principal of Phuc Khanh Primary and Secondary School No. 1. The list has been on my desk for the past few days and every time I look at it, I burst into tears. 13 students died and 7 were injured. I think we need to make up for them - that thought kept urging me," said Mr. Khang.
At that moment, Mr. Khang thought that what he could do was to "adopt" all the lucky survivors, so that they could have a warm and comfortable life and continue to study so that their future would no longer be "unclear".
After that, he asked the government and the education department to make a list of children aged 15 and under who survived the flash flood. Mr. Khang and Marie Curie School decided to "adopt" the children's education until they were 18 years old, by providing 3 million VND/child/month, transferred directly to their parents or guardians.
When he could not have a complete list, he decided to immediately support the cases he had grasped. Among them was Nguyen Van Hanh, a 12th grade student at Bao Yen High School No. 1. After the flood swept through Lang Nu, Hanh was left alone in the world. When he learned that he had lost his mother and was alone in the world, Hanh thought about going to work to earn a living and worried about the uncertain future.
Mr. Khang connected with Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, Vice Principal of Bao Yen High School No. 1, and spoke with Hanh over the phone. Hanh told Mr. Khang that her child had a broken collarbone, a bump on her knee, and bruises all over her body… because of the flood.
Over the phone, Mr. Khang asked about Hanh's health and family. When he learned that Hanh no longer wanted to go to school and would go to work to earn a living because of his uncertain future, Mr. Khang said: "You are one year older than my youngest grandchild. So, will you agree to let me accept you as my grandchild?" Hanh choked with tears: "Yes, sir."
Teacher Khang also committed to "support" Hanh's education every month, 3 million VND per month. When he needed more, Hanh could tell "grandpa". At the same time, he asked the vice principal to open a bank account for Hanh so that he could deposit money there every month. He also asked her to help buy Hanh a phone, and he would send her the money back, so that the grandfather and granddaughter could talk to each other occasionally.
Not letting down his “grandfather’s” heart, Hanh promised to study hard to graduate from high school, and would report his future plans to him at the end of the school year. In place of his parents, Ms. Hong – Vice Principal and Ms. Thuy – homeroom teacher will also take turns taking care of Hanh.
Teacher Khang hopes that not only Hanh, but all the children who were lucky enough to survive the flash flood in Lang Nu will be compensated so that they can continue their studies and their future will no longer be "blurred".
