Nguyễn Nhật Tân, crossing a bridge to do his part-time job as a lottery ticket seller. — Photo plo.vn

CẦN THƠ — Outside of his job as a primary school art teacher, Nguyễn Nhật Tân sells lottery tickets to raise funds for charity.

"I was born and raised through hardships," said Tân.

Although not quite as good as other kids in his class when he was young, Tân was inspired by his teacher, who encouraged him with small gifts. Tân is now a teacher at Phong Điền 1 Primary School in Phong Điền, Cần Thơ City.

Having seen students struggling with poverty like his past self, Tân thought of way to support them to go to school and study.

He repeated his teacher's way of encouraging children. The prizes slowly improved the students' progress, and his gift-giving expanded to other schools in his native homeland.

"I care about my students, especially the ones that are in hardship or without a parent," said Tân. "Seeing my students progress in studying, I am very happy."

Tân also rallied benefactors to help the disadvantaged. Sometimes when there are no donations, Tân devotes time to selling lottery tickets to pay for the donations. 

"We are grateful for Mr Tân's help," said Nguyễn Thị Thiện, a local lottery ticket seller who was once hospitalised in 2021. Her family was poor, she did not have enough funds to pay the hospital bills. Tân called for help on social media and raised VNĐ20 million (US$854) for Thiện's bills.

"Mr Tân is my neighbour. Outside of his teaching job, he also sells lottery tickets to support disadvantaged local people. He also helped repair roads in the village.," said 72-year-old Phạm Minh Hoàng.

"If our village had many people like Tân, life would surely get better," said Hồ Thanh Nhô, Nhơn Phú 1 Village Party Secretary.

Although now in his 40s, Tân is still single and pays full attention to caring for his parents, his students and the people he meets with hard lives.

 The art teacher not only inspires his student's artistic side but also for them to do good deeds and contribute to society. — VNS