Lai Chau Born with a spinal deformity, Hang Phuong Anh, 9 years old, is much shorter than her friends, often coughs and has nosebleeds when the weather changes, but has never thought of dropping out of school.
This year, Phuong Anh is in class 3A2 at Ta Leng Primary Boarding School, Tam Duong District. The Mong girl is about 93 cm tall and weighs 14 kg, the shortest among her peers. Phuong Anh's spine and sternum are about 15 cm high, making it difficult for her to move and lie flat. Many times, when going up and down high steps, she has to ask her friends for help.
Mr. Hang A Nu, 25 years old, Phuong Anh's father, said that his daughter was born with a congenital deformity. On the day Phuong Anh was born, Nu was 16 years old, and his wife was 15. Nu and his wife took Phuong Anh to the local hospital twice, where the doctor concluded that she had a spinal deformity and "there was no cure".
"We haven't taken our child to Hanoi for a check-up yet because we don't have the money. Hearing what the doctor said, we'll take him home," said Mr. Nu.
Phuong Anh in a class, September 2023. Photo: Thanh Hang
Due to her poor physical condition, Phuong Anh was always given the front seat by the teachers at Ta Leng School. She was placed in the group of students with disabilities and was enrolled in an integrated program, so the school did not evaluate or classify her at the end of the semester or school year.
Teaching Phuong Anh last year, Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh, homeroom teacher of class 2A2, said she was "very scared" every time her student had health problems. She often had nosebleeds in the summer, coughed a lot in the winter, wheezed with every breath, and once fainted in class.
"I was very worried about Phuong Anh's condition, but at times like that, all I could do was stop her nosebleed, put a wet towel on her forehead, and then take her to the medical room," Ms. Minh said, adding that because of her poor health, there were months when Phuong Anh had more days off than days in class.
Poor health and physical condition also made it difficult for Phuong Anh to study. She worked slowly, spoke softly and slowly. Therefore, every time the teacher gave homework to the whole class, she often gave Phuong Anh less work to do.
Phuong Anh studies and lives in a boarding house with friends, despite many inconveniences due to her poor health and small stature. Video: Thanh Hang
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trung, Principal of Ta Leng Primary Boarding School, said Phuong Anh’s family is one of the poorest in the commune. Despite many difficulties in living and studying, Phuong Anh has never had to let teachers come to her house to persuade her to go to school.
"I want to be a teacher to teach my friends how to read and write," Phuong Anh said when asked about her dream.
Ms. Tran Thi Tuyet, Phuong Anh's homeroom teacher this year, said that her family cares a lot about her and takes her to school regularly. Because she is a boarding student, her father takes her to school every Monday morning and picks her up on Friday afternoon.
Mr. Nu said that many times in the middle of the week, he missed his son, so he bought bread and milk to bring to school for him to eat more. The corn fields were always too much for Mr. Nu and his wife to handle, but the father told Phuong Anh to just stay home and play with her 3-year-old sister whenever he came home.
Regarding academic performance, Ms. Minh commented that Phuong Anh is not as fast as most of her classmates, but she can read, write, add and subtract within 10. Her progress is clearly seen through each semester. She is quiet, but obedient and always listens to her teacher. Throughout the school year, Phuong Anh has never missed a lesson.
Phuong Anh has prominent bones in both her back and chest, making it difficult for her to move around. Phuong Anh stands but is only as tall as her deskmate who is sitting. Photo: Thanh Hang
For Phuong Anh, going to school is fun because she has friends. As for Mr. Nu, many people advised Phuong Anh to go to work because "with a disease like that, why study?", but he thought differently. He only finished 7th grade, his wife finished 3rd grade, Mr. Nu wanted his children to have a complete education.
With Phuong Anh's current health, her father doesn't know if she can fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher, but he will let her go to school until she can't anymore.
"To work or sell goods, you need to know how to read and write. When the teacher said that my child can still study, I was happy. Later, if my child wants to go to university or college, I will definitely let him go. I want him to be able to read and write so he can take care of himself," said Mr. Nu.
Thanh Hang
To further motivate children in the highlands to have the opportunity to improve their lives, the Hope Fund - VnExpress newspaper continues to receive donations in the School Light program. Each contribution from readers is another ray of light sent to the future generation. Readers can see information about the program here.
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