On a quiet Monday morning, as the rehab center remains still in the early mist, hesitant and awkward voices arise from a small classroom, where 40 students are intently learning to read and write. In the corner of the room, a 34-year-old student is carefully tracing each letter. His name is Lường Văn Phi, from Mường Lay ward.

Like many others in the class, Phi not only carries a troubled past but also a life interrupted by illiteracy. Born into poverty, with hardworking parents, Phi dropped out of school at a young age and never knew what it meant to hold even a primary school diploma. Growing up in a remote and deprived area, he fell into drug addiction. Years buried in drugs left him with no sense of future, until he was admitted to mandatory rehabilitation at the center in early April 2025.

"At this age, learning to read and write makes me feel ashamed sometimes," Phi admitted, eyes lowering to the blackboard still full of scribbles. "But looking around and seeing others trying too, I told myself, better late than never."

Teaching the class himself, teacher Phan Văn Hiệp sometimes has to spend an entire period just showing a student how to hold a pen or how to correctly write the letter “A,” or explaining why the sound “Ng” changes depending on the following vowel. He says teaching adults is much harder than teaching children, not only must he convey knowledge, but he must also help erase the deep-rooted feelings of inferiority and shame in the students’ minds.

“Some students tear up as they learn, some are afraid to raise their hands because they fear making mistakes. I have to encourage them step by step, with patience and empathy as the foundation, to help them dare to learn, dare to improve, dare to change,” shared teacher Hiệp.

To him, every hesitant syllable, every shaky letter is a sign of hope. Behind each one is a difficult journey. Every student is a different story, a different background, a different past. Some never had the chance to attend school; others once knew how to read but forgot after years of drug use. That’s why every class for him is not just about teaching, it’s about walking alongside the students and helping rebuild their confidence.

Calling the literacy class at the rehab center “special” is no exaggeration. It’s special not only because the students are recovering addicts, but also because the curriculum is custom-designed to fit the knowledge level and psychology of adults, especially those who have been disconnected from education for so long. Each lesson is supported with visual aids, relatable examples, and a strong focus on practice and communication, making it easier for students to absorb knowledge without pressure. The gentle, patient, and encouraging teaching approach helps even those who’ve never held chalk or a pen become familiar with letters and numbers.

Senior Captain Trần Anh Ninh, Deputy Director of the center, directly oversees and supports the organization of the class. He said the literacy class is part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program being implemented by the center. The goal is not only to help students overcome addiction but also to give them the opportunity to adapt and confidently reintegrate into society.

“This is the first time we’ve coordinated with the Department of Education and Training to build a formal teaching model, with dedicated teachers, appropriate lesson plans, and customized materials. In such a special environment, every lesson holds deep meaning, providing motivation and becoming a stepping stone for change,” explained Senior Captain Ninh.

Simple letters, modest lessons… yet they hold profound value. Such class is not just about acquiring knowledge, it is considered the very first step for students to shift their mindset, rebuild trust in themselves and in life. For many, it may be the first time they write their own name clearly, or the first time they feel that knowledge can be a steady foundation, helping them rise again after stumbling. More importantly, this literacy class does more than just teach reading and writing, it opens a new door for those who once went astray to start anew, building their lives on the most basic foundation of knowledge, with a hope to become useful members of their families and communities.