The second mother
As the youngest child in a family of 5 siblings, the childhood of teacher Hoang Thi Thai Hoa (Quynh Anh commune, Nghe An province) was associated with hardship. In 7th grade, when she could no longer afford tuition fees, she asked to drop out of school to reduce the burden on her family, doing all kinds of jobs from lottery ticket seller to street drink seller.
Knowing this, the homeroom teacher came to her house, encouraged the students to return to school and supported tuition fees. "The teacher told me not to drop out of school, if it was difficult, she would find a way to help. That day, the two teachers and students hugged each other and cried" - Ms. Hoa recalled. That support became a turning point, helping the young student that year return to class and nurture the dream of becoming a teacher, so that no student would have to interrupt their studies like me.
Graduating from Vinh University in 2000, Ms. Hoa returned to teach at Quynh Bang Secondary School (Nghe An) - a coastal area with many difficulties. In the early days, her salary was only a few hundred thousand VND, but she still spent a part to help poor students. "I am still difficult, but looking at the students is even more difficult, I can't bear it" - she shared.
Not only providing financial support, she also went to each house to understand the students' circumstances. If they lack clothes, she buys clothes; if they lack books, she finds books; if they do not have the conditions for extra classes, she tutors for free. That dedication has helped many students overcome difficulties to continue going to school.
Recalling the time she accompanied her students, the female teacher could not help but be moved by the case of Hoang Danh Hong Linh - a student of Quynh Luu 3 High School (Nghe An). Orphaned from 1 year old, 10 years later her mother also passed away due to a serious illness, Linh lived with her grandmother. For many years, not only supporting tuition fees, she also accompanied Linh in her studies and life. Thanks to that, she has always been a good student of the school and won many excellent student awards.
As for Ho Thi Hong Nhung - a student at Quynh Bang Secondary School (Nghe An), thanks to the timely help of Ms. Thai Hoa, she has overcome many difficult periods in life and focused on studying. Nhung has been a good student at the school for 8 consecutive years.
For those children, Ms. Hoa is not only a teacher, but also a "second mother" who silently shelters and supports them through difficult days to keep their dream of studying.
Spreading love
Not only stopping at helping each student, the seeds of love that teacher Hoang Thi Thai Hoa sowed that year are gradually blooming. Many old students, when they have stable jobs, return to accompany her, establishing charity groups to support poor students, families in difficult circumstances and lonely elderly people.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Tinh (Quynh Anh commune, Nghe An province) is one of such students. After a period of studying and working far from home, when he returned and knew that she was still quietly maintaining charity activities, he decided to participate, together with her to call for more resources to continue the journey of sharing.
To date, the charity group has maintained regular activities, gathering members from all over the country, mostly old students, including those who have received help. From extended arms, kindness is no longer just one person's business, but has become a common journey of many generations.
We hope to connect more philanthropists, build long-term support forms to help more children, so that sharing is not interrupted" - Mr. Tinh expressed.
For 26 years of teaching, Ms. Hoa has not only taught literacy, but also instilled in her students a way of living that knows how to love and share. She humbly believes that she is just a "bridge" to spread good things to the community.
For her, the biggest wish is not only more resources to maintain operations, but that the spirit of sharing will continue to be passed on, so that more and more students will know how to love and be ready to support those in difficult circumstances in life.
