Mr. Trinh Cong Son (37 years old, living in Tan Binh district, Ho Chi Minh City) is currently a physical education teacher at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School (District 10).
The free martial arts class was opened and maintained by Mr. Son for 12 years. This martial arts class operates from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday every week. Currently, the class has more than 40 students of all ages, but the largest concentration is children from 8 to 11 years old. Most of them are children from migrant households and in difficult circumstances.
Mr. Son said that during his teaching career, he came into contact with many students in difficult circumstances, some whose parents were divorced, some who had to sell lottery tickets after school to help their families...
"I realized that many children really wanted to learn martial arts, but their circumstances did not allow them to register to attend. Moreover, I myself had been taught martial arts for free by teachers, so I asked the Tan Phu District Sports Center for support with a place to practice and they agreed. That's how this free martial arts class was officially born," Mr. Son recalled.
According to Mr. Son, children only need to have the desire to learn judo, want to protect themselves, and improve their health to be able to come to the class. Notably, in addition to teaching children in difficult circumstances, the class also teaches autistic children.
Teacher Son shared that teaching and imparting knowledge to autistic students is very difficult, because they are often shy, have difficulty integrating, and absorb knowledge more slowly than other students. Therefore, he had to learn and explore more teaching methods for these students.
"However, I don't find it difficult at all, especially when I see the children progressing day by day. Many parents come to class and tell me that their children are much healthier, smile, talk more,... they thank me. At these times, I realize that I have done something very useful, and I encourage myself to try to teach the children well," Mr. Son confided.
Talking about his upcoming plans, Mr. Son said he will continue to maintain this class and hopes to expand the class further so that more children in difficult circumstances have the opportunity to know about and participate in the class.
Normally quiet and shy about communicating, Le Van Phat (16 years old, Binh Tan district) - has been attending Mr. Son's martial arts class for more than a year now.
"Here I have fun studying, making many friends, and at the same time I feel my health is much better," Phat said.
Mr. Le Quoc Hung (33 years old, living in District 11) - a driver, has attended the class for more than a month and said that he feels more agile and his physical strength has improved compared to before.
"Coming to school and practicing with kids younger than me is a very interesting experience, I feel very happy. In class, because I am older, the kids don't stay away or don't talk to me, on the contrary, the whole class is very sociable," Hung shared.
