Pham Tan Phung, 91, is very well known for active participation in promoting educational activity.
Residing in Hoa Nam Hamlet, Duy Trung Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province, and despite his age, Phung still spends his days and nights promoting education from the hamlet to the commune. He helped many disadvantaged pupils continue their studies.
Phung searching for needy pupils
Phung is disabled himself. He was in charge of propagandising education and healthcare of Duy Xuyen District. When he retired, he took part in promoting educational activities in Duy Trung Commune.
Everyday he spares his free time visiting each hamlet to ask about the studies of pupils. He writes down information about needy pupils, then he mobilises compassionate organisations and individuals to help them. He sent hundreds of letters all over the country to find donors.
In 2004, Nguyen Dac Hanh at Duy Trung Commune passed the university entrance examination but did not have enough money to go to school. Phung came to know his case and wrote letters to his relatives, friends to ask them to support Hanh. Now Hanh graduated from the university and has a good job at Tam Ki City. It is a great joy to Phung.
“I feel very much happy when each pupil can go to school then has a good job and contribute to national development.” shared Phung.
In July 2007, he succeeded in convincing Trinh Thi Huong, who was Chief of the Women’s Union for national liberation of Duy Xuyen District and now is Manager of Phuong Nam Bees Ltd. Company, to finance the construction of Hoa Nam Kindergarten which cost VND150 million ($7,894).
“The kindergarten helps children in this place go to school at the right age. Phung visits the school daily and if he finds any disadvantaged pupils, he always tries to help them,” said Le Thi Nga, a teacher at the school.
Every month, Phung calls for people to contribute to the education encouragement fund with an aim of stimulating, praising and helping impoverished pupils and students.
The number of excellent students at Duy Trung Commune is going up making Phung busier. “Each person supports several pennies for the fund. I will try my best to help disadvantaged pupils as long as my health allows me to,” said Phung.
Nguyen Thi Hang, a new graduate from Da Nang Pedagogical University said, “Thanks to the help of Phung, many other students and I can have a chance to continue our studies at universities. He brought miraculous things to such needy students like me.”
Currently, Phung has to take care of his wife, 89, and his daughter, 56, who is also disabled. Despite being very busy with his family, he always finds time to help needy students.
Phung at Hoa Nam kindergarten
