Despite suffering from a disability, teacher Nguyen Trai has educated less fortunate students for the last 20 years.
The small classroom of Nguyen Trai, 48 years old, is located near Tam Giang Lagoon, Thanh Lam Village, Phu Da Commune, Phu Vang District in the central Thua Thien-Hue Province.
Teacher Trai’s small classroom
A place for poor students to study
A small and plain house covering less than 50 square metres has become a welcoming place of learning for the poverty-stricken young people living near Tam Giang Lagoon.
The classroom was initially a warehouse. Despite having to use crutches to walk, Trai managed to persuade a local to borrow it for teaching. After that, he took old tables and chairs from schools and donors, repairing them on his own.
The teacher always makes it to class regardless of weather conditions. He said, “Teaching needs a head and a heart, not legs.”
Many locals were very surprised by his activities. They did not think that Trai, the man with the crutches, could work as a teacher. They especially thought this because he had not joined any educational training courses. In spite of rumours and comments, Trai came to every family to encourage children to go to attend his lass.
Many children, who were past the 3rd grade level, have to learn handwriting after leaving school for a long time. Others are too old for going to school, but have not ever attended a class.
One student, Quynh said, “I like learning in Teacher Trai’s class. The way he teaches us is very easy to understand. Our parents do not have enough money for me to go to school. He gives me a chance to learn.”
His students often dig for crab, pick snails and tend buffaloes in the morning. “Tuition fees” that they bring to Trai are baskets of sweet potatoes, snails and rice.
Nguyen Thi Thanh, mother of a student, said in a moved voice that, “Teacher Trai has to take care of his elderly mother. We are very grateful to him for teaching our children, but we have nothing to give for his devotion other than some rice and corn. People here are so poor, without Teacher Trai’s help, our children never have an opportunity to learn.”
A small and plain house covering less than 50 square metres has become a welcoming place of learning for the poverty-stricken young people living near Tam Giang Lagoon.
The classroom was initially a warehouse. Despite having to use crutches to walk, Trai managed to persuade a local to borrow it for teaching. After that, he took old tables and chairs from schools and donors, repairing them on his own.
The teacher always makes it to class regardless of weather conditions. He said, “Teaching needs a head and a heart, not legs.”
Many locals were very surprised by his activities. They did not think that Trai, the man with the crutches, could work as a teacher. They especially thought this because he had not joined any educational training courses. In spite of rumours and comments, Trai came to every family to encourage children to go to attend his lass.
Many children, who were past the 3rd grade level, have to learn handwriting after leaving school for a long time. Others are too old for going to school, but have not ever attended a class.
One student, Quynh said, “I like learning in Teacher Trai’s class. The way he teaches us is very easy to understand. Our parents do not have enough money for me to go to school. He gives me a chance to learn.”
His students often dig for crab, pick snails and tend buffaloes in the morning. “Tuition fees” that they bring to Trai are baskets of sweet potatoes, snails and rice.
Nguyen Thi Thanh, mother of a student, said in a moved voice that, “Teacher Trai has to take care of his elderly mother. We are very grateful to him for teaching our children, but we have nothing to give for his devotion other than some rice and corn. People here are so poor, without Teacher Trai’s help, our children never have an opportunity to learn.”
Mr. Trai teaches by example
An enthusiastic teacher
Mr. Trai recalled the time when he was on the way to his home after school. Suddenly, his knees gave out, leaving him motionless. During a two-month stay in the hospital for myasthenia (muscle disease) treatment and more than two years of using different kinds of medicines, his disease did not ease up.
The 20-year old man only tried to hide the feeling of self-pity to see his friends to go to school. “At that time, I felt very disappointed. Sometimes I didn’t even feel like living,” he said. However, the thirst for study urged him to fight with the disease.
He made great efforts to learn how to walk with the aid of crutches and by stumbling like a child. He felt pain in every step, but he was still determined to stand up every time he fell down. Trai even followed a rope tied on the window to practise walking. After two years of attempts, Trai could finally move on his own using crutches.
Nevertheless, he had to halt the learning dream and decided to open a classroom for local children who were needy.
“Our class has less than 30 pupils per year, and many have matured from this. Tran Nhan Dong, who was my pupil 20 years ago, has now become a successful businessman,” Trai said with pride.
He added that, in 2005, Nguyen Thi Kim Trang in central Nha Trang City helped him to upgrade and provide equipment for his classroom. “I expect to get more assistance for the classroom to offer learning opportunities for more children,” he shared.
The man whose hair is turning grey has stayed single until now. Asked about marriage, he joked that, “I already have a band of children.” For him, the small classroom is his family.
Mr. Trai recalled the time when he was on the way to his home after school. Suddenly, his knees gave out, leaving him motionless. During a two-month stay in the hospital for myasthenia (muscle disease) treatment and more than two years of using different kinds of medicines, his disease did not ease up.
The 20-year old man only tried to hide the feeling of self-pity to see his friends to go to school. “At that time, I felt very disappointed. Sometimes I didn’t even feel like living,” he said. However, the thirst for study urged him to fight with the disease.
He made great efforts to learn how to walk with the aid of crutches and by stumbling like a child. He felt pain in every step, but he was still determined to stand up every time he fell down. Trai even followed a rope tied on the window to practise walking. After two years of attempts, Trai could finally move on his own using crutches.
Nevertheless, he had to halt the learning dream and decided to open a classroom for local children who were needy.
“Our class has less than 30 pupils per year, and many have matured from this. Tran Nhan Dong, who was my pupil 20 years ago, has now become a successful businessman,” Trai said with pride.
He added that, in 2005, Nguyen Thi Kim Trang in central Nha Trang City helped him to upgrade and provide equipment for his classroom. “I expect to get more assistance for the classroom to offer learning opportunities for more children,” he shared.
The man whose hair is turning grey has stayed single until now. Asked about marriage, he joked that, “I already have a band of children.” For him, the small classroom is his family.
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