Just over 20m2 in size, the “Happiness Class” located on the 3rd floor of K Tan Trieu Hospital comes alive with lights and children’s laughter every Monday and Friday afternoon.
In this small but warm space, pediatric cancer patients undergoing treatment at the hospital find joy, comfort, and rare moments of peace amidst their battle against illness.
The students in the class each bear unique marks from their treatment journey. Some have hands still wrapped in white bandages after an IV, some have lost almost all their hair due to chemotherapy, while others are missing a part of their body after surgery.
Their school bags don’t contain books like other children’s, but rather medicine blister packs, spare face masks, and a strong will, a determination to continue learning and live life to the fullest despite being surrounded by illness.
This special class has never had a fixed number of students. Observing each student, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, a teacher who has been with the class since its inception, shared:
“Sometimes there are up to 20 students, but other days there are only 3-4 because they are too tired to leave their rooms after chemotherapy. In such cases, we teachers divide ourselves, with one teaching in the classroom and others going into the hospital rooms, if permitted, to teach individual children.”
For Ms. Pham Thi Tam, Principal of Xanh Tue Duc Inter-level School, who proposed and laid the first bricks for the establishment of the “Happiness Class,” this place holds a deeply meaningful story.
“The children’s dream of going to school here is immense. Many have had to interrupt their studies for treatment, and some even had to be hospitalized before ever attending school. During chemotherapy days, the children only have their phones to temporarily forget the pain. That made us understand that they truly need a classroom,” Ms. Tam shared.
“Every step, every smile from these children is incredibly precious. If they can temporarily forget their pain, even for just one class session, we feel complete and happy,” Ms. Tam added.
The classroom has no traditional blackboard and chalk. All lessons are designed uniquely for each group of students, depending on their age and health. Teachers always have to find a balance between emotion and knowledge.
The age range in the class is also not fixed. Some children are just 3 years old, learning to hold a pen. Some are already in middle school, their hands still trembling when they write, but their eyes reveal an undeniable eagerness to learn.
This diversity does not create a gap but makes the classroom resemble a multi-colored mosaic, with each piece carrying a different story and a unique journey battling illness.
Ms. Pham Thi Huong (right), Head Nurse of the Pediatric Department at K Tan Trieu Hospital, who has dedicated 18 years to caring for pediatric cancer patients, confided:
“Before, when admitted to the hospital, children’s lives revolved almost entirely around medication infusions and prolonged fatigue. But since the ‘Happiness Class’ started, the children have an additional source of spiritual support. After each chemotherapy session, being able to sit and learn with the teacher and friends helps ease their pain, both physical and mental.”
The lessons usually begin with icebreaker games to lighten the atmosphere. Just a few minutes of laughter are enough to help the children forget their fatigue after hours of infusions. Each lesson is a way to nurture motivation and help them rediscover the simple joys that illness had taken away.
Little H., with sparse hair and wide, delighted eyes, meticulously colors stroke by stroke. Looking at her absorbed posture, it’s hard to imagine that she, too, is fighting illness every day.
When H.’s mother learned about the special class at the hospital, she immediately enrolled her child. After each radiation therapy session, she brings her child to class. “That’s the happiest time of the day for both of us,” she said.
Though small, H. is very intelligent. She imitates whatever her older classmates do. She isn’t afraid of strangers, only turns to look at her mother as if asking for permission, then bends down again to color her tiny strokes.
Reading time is always the most anticipated moment. The children sit in a circle, quietly listening to the teacher tell stories. At the end of the lesson, each child chooses a book to take home, a small yet incredibly warm joy.
Each child has a unique story, but all are on a shared journey battling illness. The class is like a spiritual gift, a source of motivation that helps them feel more confident each day. There are tears on young faces, but behind them, their will is being strengthened, and their desire to live and learn has never faded.
This is a uniquely meaningful class, where parents can entrust their faith in their children’s extraordinary resilience. More than just knowledge, this class provides children with invaluable spiritual preparation, helping them become more steadfast and optimistic on their challenging journey.
Source link: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/lop-hoc-dac-biet-gieo-niem-tin-song-cho-benh-nhi-ung-thu-20251118134506743.htm
