Special classes for children with serious illnesses

Opening on September 4 at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital, the special class deeply moved those who followed the children. The students in the class were pediatric patients being treated at the Oncology Hospital. Many of them were receiving IV fluids while studying.

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Loc, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, presented gifts to sick children at the opening ceremony of the class - Photo: TRI DUC

The "Sunflower" class at the Oncology Hospital is a place for "little warriors" to learn.

Even though they are undergoing medical treatment, these "little warriors" still work hard every day, turning the small classroom in the hospital into a world filled with positive energy, filled with children's laughter.

The children are very happy to go to class.

Having taught the students for 16 years, when the class was first "formed", Ms. Dinh Thi Kim Phan, 69 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City, shared that many students here write very well.

There was a student named Lam Truong, who made her remember forever the words he wrote: "Standing in front of the hospital gate, I saw the misfortune of myself and my peers. But I was not sad, not desperate, because I always had doctors, teachers and parents to encourage me. Friends, let's try our best, nothing can defeat us."

Le Kha Nhi (7 years old, Can Gio commune, Ho Chi Minh City) has had a myeloblastoma for over a year now, and is a familiar student of the "Sunflower" class. Each time she is hospitalized, Nhi has to stay in the hospital for more than half a month, spending more time in the hospital than at home.

Her mother, Ms. Luu Thi Anh (40 years old), tearfully said: "It's been nearly 4 years since she was diagnosed with the disease, and she has undergone many painful treatments. But every time she can attend this class, she is so happy, she forgets all about being tired. I see that she has more motivation to try harder."

Ms. Kim Phan said that there were times in her class when three students had to receive IVs right in their chairs. However, the children still sat attentively on their notebooks, their eyes still shining with joy when they were learning math, practicing writing, or simply sitting next to their friends.

The class is divided into many groups: some children have never been to grade 1, some have been to grade 2, grade 3, grade 4. The main subjects are math, Vietnamese, plus group activities: games, singing, dancing...

"Just by holding their hands and stroking their heads, they smile. Looking at those smiles, I realize I have to try harder because they are so eager to learn and thirsty for knowledge," Ms. Kim Phan shared.

Over the past ten years, Ms. Phan has sent many young students back to their hometowns - not to continue going to school, but to attend... funerals. She told me about a child in Quang Ngai who had leukemia and died after only 8 months of school.

"Hearing the news of a child's death, I felt like I had lost a part of my heart. Many times I took the bus back to my hometown to see my children off for the last time."

For more than 2 years now, the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital has moved to the old Thu Duc City. Traveling to and from the "Sunflower" class for a 69-year-old teacher like Ms. Phan is not a simple matter.

Every time she goes to and from school, she has to take 2 buses. Sometimes she gets lost and takes 3 buses, taking an hour each time.

She had considered quitting when the hospital moved to this new facility, but thinking of the children's eyes looking at her with enthusiasm while teaching, remembering the moments when the children were excited and laughing every time they saw her, Ms. Kim Phan continued her journey of teaching for free to the children like she had done more than ten years ago.

Ms. Dinh Thi Kim Phan and the children in the "Sunflower" class - Photo: THUY DUONG

The little warriors are resilient.

Among the students who have been with the class the longest is Tong Minh An, who has bone cancer. An was hospitalized when he was about to enter first grade. Initially, the family planned to send him to a school outside, but An insisted on staying and studying with "Ms. Phan".

"In your class, I feel like I'm like my friends" - An pleaded. And so, for the past 10 years, every month he has to go to the hospital for medicine, and his family rents a house near the hospital for his convenience.

Another face is Cao Huy Hoang (16 years old, Thanh Hoa ), who has lymphoma. After two years of hard treatment, Hoang still takes the time to go to math class when his health allows. "What I like most is meeting friends and playing games. Here, I don't feel lonely" - Hoang smiled.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on the morning of September 4, Mr. Diep Bao Tuan - Director of Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital - shared: "This is a special class, with special students, in a very special place: the hospital.

We believe that "Sunflowers" not only helps children maintain their studies but is also a valuable spiritual therapy, giving them more confidence to fight their illness."

The "Sunflower" class currently has about 3 teachers regularly teaching. Despite the difficulties, the class still maintains 2 sessions a week. In addition to teaching, the teachers also organize group activities, chat, and sing to make the children more happy.

"Having a class like this makes my child very happy. He eagerly prepares his books and sometimes begs the doctor to let him go to school early," said the emotional mother of a child patient.

"Not only a place to impart knowledge, the "Sunflower" class is also a spiritual therapy, helping children to firmly fight against illness, nurturing optimism and faith in life.

The meaning of the class goes beyond the hospital campus, as a message to the community: if children with serious illnesses still desire to live and learn, then healthy young people with full conditions must cherish and make more efforts on their journey of learning and training," said Ms. Kim Phan.

The seed of "Thuy's Dream" grows into a tall tree

After 16 years, from the seed of "Thuy's Dream" initiated by Tuoi Tre newspaper, the class has now become a sustainable spiritual support for children with cancer. In the joy of welcoming the opening day, the innocent eyes of the children at the Oncology Hospital expressed their desire to live, to study and to continue writing their dreams.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Bao Tuan said: "Over the past 16 years, the "Sunflower" class has received the support of teachers and sponsors, so that no matter what the circumstances, the children can still acquire knowledge. Thanks to that, when they return home after treatment, their studies are not interrupted.

This is also a great source of encouragement, giving the children more strength to believe in their journey of treatment, because around them there are always many hearts to accompany and share. I believe that this year's class will continue to be successful like previous years."

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THUY DUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lop-hoc-dac-biet-cho-tre-mac-benh-hiem-ngheo-2025090423123431.htm