Memories of the first time meeting Uncle Ho
After more than 80 years of life, her hair has turned white, but the eyes of teacher Le Minh Ngoc - former Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City still lit up with emotion when remembering the first time they met Uncle Ho.
At the age of 12, Ms. Ngoc was one of many Southern students chosen to go to the North to study to serve in the resistance war for the country. That is Uncle Ho's vision, a testament to a South that is always in his heart.
In 1959, Ms. Le Minh Ngoc received a notice from Hai Phong about her return to Hanoi on the occasion of welcoming Mr. Sukarno - President of Indonesia to an official visit to Vietnam at that time. And from that time on, Ms. Ngoc had the opportunity to meet Uncle Ho.
"I always remember the burning happiness when Uncle Ho kindly arranged to sit between him and President Sukarno. That feeling, I still have it today," Ms. Ngoc emotionally recalled.
More than eighty years of life have passed, but the words he said are still deeply engraved in the hearts of Southern children: "At that time, he asked: 'If you are in the South, you should miss your home so much? As much as you remember, you will try to study and cultivate as well as possible. Maintain and serve the South this apricot'. Uncle Ho's simple words have been deeply imprinted in my heart".
During the years standing on the podium, teaching and nurturing knowledge for many generations of students, from the hard north to Ho Chi Minh City, teacher Le Minh Ngoc has never forgotten what Uncle Ho told her. She always believes that that fateful meeting has aroused in her a noble life: devoting herself to the cause of education, nurturing the future for the country's preschools.
"I always think that if someone has met Uncle Ho once, they cannot help but become a good person," Ms. Ngoc always emphasizes. The teachings of Uncle Ho are noble and familiar, sowing in each person's heart a beautiful life.
The memory of the second time meeting Uncle Ho, when he visited Southern School No. 6 in Hai Phong, still stuck in her mind. The image of Uncle Ho being simple and kind, going straight to the kitchen and then kindly chatting with the students made her and her friends extremely emotional. The candy that Uncle Ho gave, the children did not dare to eat but respectfully kept, wrapped in notebooks as a sacred promise about striving to become good people.
More than 3,000 lives have been lit up
After the country was unified and returned to Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Le Minh Ngoc became more and more inclined to the educational career of the city named after Uncle Ho. She always worried about the future of the younger generation, about the responsibility to continue the cause of protecting and building an increasingly beautiful country, as beloved Uncle Ho instructed.
"Up to now, thinking back, I still feel happy," Ms. Ngoc said emotionally. "The word 'Southern always in my heart' is not just a sentence, but a deep, sacred affection that has given us strength on the path of learning and growing up".
In 2000, after retiring, the enthusiastic heart of the teacher Le Minh Ngoc still ached with the career of growing people. She assumed the role of Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Study Encouragement Association and Director of Study Encouragement Fund, winged dreams for thousands of poor studious students with the meaningful "Scholarship 1 and 1" program.
"For me, 1 and 1 is not just a scholarship, but a sharing, a charity, an opportunity for those in difficult circumstances to continue their education," said Ms. Ngoc.
More than 3,000 lives have been lit up thanks to "Scholarship 1 and 1" of " Ma Ngoc" - the affectionate name that generations of poor and successful students still affectionately call ba. At the age of 82, she is still diligent in promoting education, passing on the fire of love and aspiration to the younger generation.
For teacher Le Minh Ngoc, her invaluable assets are thousands of grown children, those who never forget the years of being raised and taught in the North, never forget the great merits of the Party and Uncle Ho. Uncle Ho's ancient instructions have become a guideline, lighting up the path to dedicate her life to the cause of educating people, an outstanding daughter of the South who always wrote "Southern region is always in Uncle Ho's heart".
Looking at the younger generation today, teacher Le Minh Ngoc expressed his confidence in their abilities and intelligence. However, she also reminded them to live ideally, have dreams and constantly learn and practice ethics. She especially emphasized the importance of reading books, learning about history and traditional values of the nation.
"The year that Uncle Ho taught children is still valid today," Ms. Ngoc shared. "Those are simple but profound teachings, seeping deep into the souls of children, helping them grow up and become useful citizens for society".
