Ms. LE BICH CHAU - AN EXAMPLE OF STUDYING AND FOLLOWING PRESIDENT HO CHI MINH' MORAL VALUES
Following people's instructions, we visited Ms. Le Bich Chau in Vinh Phuc Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, in May 2023. She is a typical example of an older person who joined hands to build the movement of good people who do good deeds in the locality. Over the past time, with many practical works, she has always promoted her role as a teacher of the people dedicated to the neighbourhood to help disadvantaged people wholeheartedly.
Ms. Le Bich Chau was born in 1941, was the former Vice Principal of Ba Dinh High School, and is 82 years old this year. During her teenage years, she met President Ho Chi Minh three times on Children's Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, and New Year. Ms. Chau was most impressed when meeting Uncle Ho for the second time on January 1, 1956. At that time, she was the Union Captain of Tay Son Secondary School, representing the students who came to give New Year greetings to Uncle Ho at the Presidential Palace.
She also met many young children of the embassies who came to wish New Year to him that day: Uncle Ho led us to the big room. Uncle kindly asked us our names, what grade, and which school we attended. He asked us if both parents worked and if we remembered the five things he taught. We all said "yes" in unison. I felt thrilled and proud during an hour of talking with him. At that time, He had a long beard, so I thought he was charming. He was as beautiful as a fairy in a fairy tale. Later, I found the moments of meeting Uncle Ho very sacred and meaningful. Uncle Ho showed encouragement and concern for each child: Uncle asked each family to understand that his heart for the people and country was simple but vast. On the occasion of the 133rd birthday of President Ho Chi Minh on May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2023, I gifted a precious photo taken during the second meeting with Uncle Ho to the Hanoi Museum for display in the special exhibition "Uncle Ho and Hanoi".
I constantly strive to do well in my studies and at my job to contribute to society; always keeping Uncle Ho's teachings and advice, I try to study well and work well to become a valuable person in the community. I graduated from the History Department of Hanoi National University of Education, became a teacher, and was involved in management. When I retired, I participated in many local social organizations, and I used to be the neighbourhood group leader. In 2015, my family and I established a charity fund called "Golden Road" to help National Children's Hospital patients. At first, my family's volunteer group cooked 100 servings of porridge a week and distributed it to the children for free. My work has spread love to relatives, old students, friends, and the neighbourhood and received more support from everyone. Currently, every week, my volunteer group distributes 100 meals of rice and 60 sets of porridge to the children.
Our volunteer group regularly donates warm clothes to children in the highlands in the winter. In addition, I have adopted and fostered four children with difficult circumstances. I donated a house worth 50 million VND to the family of Lo Thi Hoa's mother and daughter in Dien Bien Province. Studying and following Uncle Ho's teachings is not sublime but beneficial through daily actions. Together, we unite and join hands to help the disadvantaged in the community so that everyone can have a fulfilled and happy life as beloved Uncle Ho always expected.
Meeting and talking with Ms. Le Bich Chau about Uncle Ho was a memorable experience. We felt delighted and learned many interesting things. Her simple but very noble actions and deeds, which she has quietly performed for nearly ten years, are a noble gesture and a shining example of good people and deeds that we must imitate.
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