The Cute Children

We hopped into an elementary school in Hanoi. Lacking in facilities and IT equipment, there was a certain simplicity and about it. In stark contrast, the infrastructure of primary schools in Singapore are so so developed compared to what I saw. The children seemed, earnest, in comparison to ours who could seem a little older and snootier than their years. In many ways, our students are so much luckier and therein, lies a different set of challenges and issues to overcome.

We were clearly a distraction for these children who were in the middle of their classes, even though they had been primed about our visit. The school children attended classes from 8.30am - 10.30am, then 2.30pm - 4.30pm. Quite a long day actually, to have to sit in classes all day. SO CUTE the little children were! They read in a cheerful chorus from their books and the English classes said hello. All of them waved and grinned.

I was really taken by this very pretty little girl of 10 years old. Her eyes were sparkling; she was solving VERY DIFFICULT Math questions which involved fractions. I really hope her education is her passport to a brighter future. No one should tell children that they should grow up to be this or that. Beyond elementary school, the children should be able to be anything they would like and work towards that. I hope these children can rise above their economic situations somehow and triumph.