This special opening ceremony took place at the Lua Viet Club (Hoa Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City). The ceremony was simple but full of warmth, the children in difficult circumstances were also given new clothes when coming to this charity class.

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The ceremony took place at 6pm on September 5. This is the time when many people start to get off work and rest, but this is usually the time when students in the Lua Viet charity class start their daily classes.

Unlike their peers, the children here have to sell lottery tickets, struggle with their parents on the streets all day and then go to class at night to learn to read and write.

Unlike normal classes, students of the Lua Viet charity class arrived very early today. Many of them had been sitting in front of the classroom since 5pm waiting for the opening ceremony.

The ceremony here had no opening drums, nor a grand stage. The students did not come in proper uniforms, many of them were still soaked from the pouring rain all day.

What these dozens of special children have in common is a bright smile on their lips.

"I also feel sad when the opening ceremony of the students is not complete. But seeing the bright smiles of the students, I feel more motivated to continue doing this work" - Mr. Huynh Ngoc Dinh, head of the Lua Viet Club, emotionally shared.

To have this opening ceremony, Mr. Dinh and the volunteer teachers got up at 5am, busy preparing everything. Here, the teachers did everything themselves, from decorating the balloon frames, preparing the sound, cooking dinner and even gifts for the disadvantaged children in the classroom.

Even though the preparation was thorough, it was difficult to have a grand stage in the tiny room, and there were only rows of plastic chairs that were not enough space for the children to sit.

Classroom filled with love

The ceremony began with homegrown performances by the students. Instead of a formal speech, Mr. Dinh sent a warm welcome along with a promise to teach and take good care of the students in the coming school year.

In the peaceful alley, the simple but loving ceremony under the drizzling rain moved many parents who brought their children to tears.

Ms. Giang Thi Thuy Trang (44 years old, living in Tan Phu district) said: "My son has been studying here for three years.

My development was slower than my friends, so many schools did not accept me. Luckily, the club helped me, so I became much more knowledgeable, obedient, and knew how to calculate and read better."

Little Dong Xuan Nhi (10 years old, living in Tan Phu district) has studied for a year at the Lua Viet Club and tearfully said: "I don't live with my parents. Today, my grandfather took me to the opening ceremony.

Coming here to receive new books, clothes, and even a teddy bear, I am very happy. I will try to study well to make my grandfather and teachers happy."

The ceremony ended, when the children left, the teachers gave them gifts. Among them were white shirts and uniforms that Mr. Dinh and many volunteer teachers had asked for earlier.

At the Lua Viet Club, the opening ceremony is not only the beginning of a new school year but also a milestone for new hopes, small steps forward in the lives of children with developmental delays and children in difficult circumstances.

For these special children, parents and teachers do not put pressure on achievements or scores. Every small progress, every smile or confident look of the children is an achievement.