If I was to be honest (and I always try to be) I would tell you that at times there is a struggle doing the day to day work of keeping GIBTK alive and vital. It is stories like the one below that remind we are making a difference. And it's ALL worth it!!! I hope the journal encourages you as much as it does me. To keep this thing called GIBTK going! As I first read this my only thought (fighting back a flood of emotions of course) was WOW! Dorothea would be so proud to know her legacy continues
I was a little boy in a poor family, a life lacking in materialism but not lacking in family affection. To me, no loss was as big as the loss of family members. By 2003, my father and mother died of illness, and I soon became an orphan. So I had to live with my old grandmother and she was very old so she couldn't take care of me. Considering the difficult situation, I was introduced by the Commune Committee to live at Dai Loc District Social Support Center. During my stay there, I was able to go to school, have fun and be involved in social activities like my peers.
With time passing, I graduated from high school and went on to the next step of my life, how to get to the University door. This is very difficult compared to my financial ability. Thankfully, I was welcomed by Giving It Back To Kids and they helped me realize my dream. While living in the shelter for boy students (Hal's Home), I received a lot of love from Robert, the foster parents, all of the employees in the office, as well as sponsors. Everyone is motivation, always on the side of encouragement, to give me more strength to overcome the difficulties. Without Giving It Back To Kids, I would not be as successful today.
Graduating from the University, I am currently working for the Giving It Back To Kids Organization. My current job is English teacher of community classes in Que Son Community class is one of the meaningful programs of the organization. This program is designed to create conditions for poor children and disadvantaged children to be supported with knowledge related to subjects such as Math, physics, chemistry, Information technology and English.
A few years ago, this program was first set up in Da Nang City, to help poor students in the city. However, considering that the disadvantaged students in other localities also need to help and support, this program has developed and opened a new facility in Dong Phu Town, Que Son District, Quang Nam Province. And now I am working at the 2ndDorotheas Project legacy in Dong Phu Town.
Que Son community class was established and put into operation for nearly three months. At the beginning, this program also encountered many difficulties. One of the biggest difficulties of the program is the enrollment and how to make the children as well as their families aware of the benefits. Many families still wonder: Where does this program come from? How does it work? Even many people and their families think is there any quality to "free teaching"?
Also, teachers have to go to the mountainous communes to encourage their families and especially the children to attend the classes. Sometimes, when walking through difficult roads, climbing the mountain, teachers still believe that their efforts will create motivation and trust for the students to participate. That is why the number of students is very small, only a few students per class. But three months passed, by effort and enthusiasm, understanding of all the difficulties, the barriers were gradually pushed back. The number of students is increasing due to the quality of teaching and the continued learning of teachers and pupils are guaranteed.
In addition to supporting the knowledge related to the subjects, the community class is also a useful playground for the children. Sometimes, the teachers organize for them high educational and entertaining games such as Ring the Golden Bell or Road to Olympia. In addition, during the lessons, teachers also incorporate games into the lesson to make them more enjoyable and engaging. The children who participate in and win high prizes will have small gifts to open for the good spirit of learning. It is expected that in the near future, the class will also equip children with the knowledge and skills of living through emotional health and life skill classes. This class is really meaningful as it equips them with the necessary knowledge to help them handle and solve problems in their life.
After class, the teachers also spend some time talking with the students. For me, this is really meaningful. When I am talking with children, it's easy to understand their personality, psychology and family circumstances. They share to understand their emotions, thoughts, dreams, or even to share the difficulties that they are facing in life. Sometimes I also talk to the children to know their feelings about this program. Many children express their joy when they participate in this class. They shared that this class really meant something.
I ask again why is it important to them? Many answers are given, but the common point is that: this program gives them useful knowledge. Sometimes there is difficult knowledge they are afraid to ask in the classroom, but here the teachers are enthusiastic and meticulous in answering their questions. The classroom is also a useful playground, helping children to have more new friends.
For those who are active and working in the education - training environment, the greatest wish and happiness is the hard work, progress and success of the students. For me, although I am not a teacher working at a big or prestigious school, wherever I work, the "mind" is still at the top. I love the job and passion for this chosen career. My love for this program is a special feeling. I love the job and I love the poor children here. My biggest hope is that afterwards they will grasp this condition to study and learn well so that they can have a brighter future.
We hope that this community class program will expand and develop further in the future, especially in remote areas to help poor pupils, and children with special learning difficultés will have an opportunity to learn and increase their knowledge.
With my sincerest gratitude;
Binh
