Luong Van Mau, age 13, has to get to school every day by walking on his hands, but he carries with him the simple wish of earning his high school diploma and finding work that will allow him to support his elderly grandparents.

Luong Van Mau walks to school every day on his hands (Photo by Trong Hung)

DTiNews visited Luong Minh Primary School, where Mau is a student, and spoke with Principal Lo Van Hai. He commented, “Mau was born in 1997, and he is in the 5th grade. His family is extremely poor -- he lives with his grandparents. But Mau is quite the diligent pupil.”

When Mau and his brother were young, their parents passed away. The two brothers now live with grandfather La Van Thong, 67, and grandmother Lo Thi Lan, 65, in Xop Mat Village, Luong Minh Commune, Tuong Duong District, Nghe An Province.

Many of the residents of Luong Minh Commune admire Mau’s energy. “We all know Mau, the poor thing! He walks on his hands to school day after day. He is so full of energy,” they told reporters.

In spite of his trying circumstances, Mau is striving to continue his schooling. His grandparents shared, “It would be very demanding for us to raise even two normal children at our ages. And Mau has the misfortune of being handicapped. Nevertheless, he and his brother study very hard, so we worry a little less.”

Thong’s family is one of the most impoverished of the commune. Their monthly allowance scarcely covers daily living expenses for the two of them, and is incapable of assisting Mau and his brother.

Mau’s Head Teacher, Nguyen Thi Thao, said, “Everyone feels such sympathy for the disadvantaged pupil. He has a close friend, Lo Luong Chom, who often carries Mau on his back or gives him a ride to school on his bicycle.”

Will Mau’s dreams come true despite the many obstacles that lie ahead?

For Mau, getting to school is never a simple task (Photo by Trong Hung)

Lo Luong Chom, Mau’s classmate, often carries Mau to school on his back (Photo by Trong Hung)

For information on how to contribute, please see below: