One day, I read a newspaper article about a pupil, P.T.H., who had kidney disease and needed help, to my Year 9 pupils (my class has 12 pupils, ten of whom have disabilities).
After reading it, I told them about the work I usually do, which is raising donations from pupils, teachers and parents to help poor pupils and people with unhappy lives.
Suddenly, D.T.T. stepped forward holding two 10,000 VND notes, her voice moved: “Let me donate this small amount…”. Seeing this, the other pupils also wanted to donate and promised to bring money the next day. I said: “Thank you, T.! Thank you, children! I will not take your money; you are also unlucky people. I was just sharing. I am calling on teachers, parents and pupils from other schools to donate…”.
A few days later, D.T.T. herself brought me an envelope containing 500,000 VND that she had raised from her classmates and people around her. On the envelope she had written four very large words: “A Loving Heart”.
I was very happy and joyful to receive this gift, “A Loving Heart”– that precious sharing from the pupils, especially T..
A teacher’s happiness is not only bringing words to pupils, but also teaching them life skills, sowing in them compassion and a beautiful way of living… in life. And I always remind myself: “A good teacher does not only teach pupils with ready-made words, but teaches with their whole soul”.
Thai Hoang (a teacher of literature at lower and upper secondary level at the Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Protection, Vocational Training and Job Creation for People with Disabilities)