(VOVworld) – Volunteer students of a club called “Faith and Hope” hold a special class for child patients at the Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion every weekend. Though they have not undergone any formal pedagogical training, they expect to bring joy and happiness to these unfortunate children.

The club was established in 2011 as an initiative by Vu Truong An, a leukemia patient. Born in Ninh Binh province, An graduated from the Thai Nguyen Information Technology University and won a scholarship to study at Russia’s Tula State University. In May, 2010, just two months before his graduation, An was diagnosed with advanced-stage leukemia and had to return to Vietnam. During treatment at Military Hospital 103 and the Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, An sympathized with the pains suffered every day by leukemia child patients. That’s how he came up with the idea of establishing the “Faith and hope” club. However, he died before the club was set up. Other club members continued his dream and opened a special class for child patients at the Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion who because of their regular treatment can’t attend school.           

The children are taught mathematics, literature, drawing, coloring, and puzzle solving. The class is a place for them to gain knowledge and also to entertain and relax. Hoang Thi Thao, mother of a child patient, says: “This class is very helpful and meaningful. We all hope that our children will get better and their illness be cured.”

Members of the “Faith and hope” club have become teachers, friends, and relatives of the child patients, giving them hope and faith. Club member Nguyen Hoai Thuong says: “I’m luckier than others out there so I decided to join the club to help the child patients. Other club members have taught me a lot about social activities.”

The club’s President and Vice-president have been honored by the Vietnam Youth Federation for their contributions to community activities.