Mong girl dedicated to homeland

Lo Thi Say and other members of the Mong students’ club have supported children in remote and far-flung areas (Photo courtesy of Lo Thi Say)

Hanoi (VNA) – Lo Thi Say is now a fourth-year student of the University of Languages and International Studies at the Hanoi National University.

The friendly girl belongs to the Mong ethnic minority group, and is also head of the Mong students’ club in the capital city. Flashing bright smile, she said she wants to do something for her hometown.

Joining charitable activities

In 2017 when she came to Hanoi to begin her university study, Say met a raft of difficulties, including cultural shocks. However, she then decided to participate in charitable activities launched by the university and gradually got acquainted with the new environment.

Say self-nominated as head of the Mong students’ club which was on the brink of closure, and won the position in 2019.

“I feel sorry as a club that is not small and known by many people has to cease working. The club should be home for Mong students like me in Hanoi,” she said.

Lo Thi Say is head of the Mong students’ club in Hanoi. (Photo courtesy of Lo Thi Say)

She has coordinated with the youth union in Hoang Lien commune, the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai, to organise charitable programmes in her hometown.

With only with small gifts like coats, books and noodles, the progrmmes have brought happiness and smiles to local mountainous children.

Moreover, short plays in the Mong language featuring early marriage and domestic violence and encouraging children to go to school have also been integrated into the programmes.

Last January, Say and the club joined hands with units to organise a programme introducing the traditional Tet festival of the Mong ethnic group at the Ly Thai To monument square in Hoan Kiem district, the heart of Hanoi, attracting young Mong people in the capital city and crowds of visitors.

Visitors also had a chance to explore culture, arts, cuisines and handicrafts of the Mong people at the programme.

Lo A Enh, vice secretary of the youth union of Hoang Lien commune, said Say has experience and enthusiasm in youth union activities back in her hometown. Although she is studying in Hanoi, she has still joined charitable activities towards her northern mountains.

Pupularising English in Mong village

Say could speak English when she was only seven thanks to regular conversations with foreign tourists to Lao Cai. She got a part-time job as a tour guide when she was a 11th grader.

As a tour guide, the girl always put on traditional dress as she wanted to introduce the beauty of the Mong people to tourists.

Say has opened free English classes for local children during summer holidays, attracting up to 100 students of different age groups.

Lo Thi Say has actively participated in social activities (Photo courtesy of Lo Thi Say)

The part-time job and English classes have made the foreign language student busier in summer holidays.

“One day, I came back late from a trip and children were waiting for me at the English class. Although I was tired, I felt very happy. I skipped my dinner to teach them,” she said.

Due to COVID-19 outbreaks this year, Say has maintained online English classes daily, along with computer courses for children in her home village.

Nguyen Quynh Nga, her classmate, said Say’s meaningful activities have contributed to raising young people’s sense of responsibility for the community./.