Ngoi reads books to some children.(Source: thanhnien.vn) Quang Tri (VNS/VNA) - While many inhis community struggle to just makes ends meet, a Pa Ko ethnicity man in QuangTri province’s mountainous area is pouring his heart and soul into encouraginglocal children to love art, through the medium of film.
Ho Tu Pong Ngoi comes from A Mo Ro village in Huong Hoa districtwhere the major population is Pa Ko ethnic minority people.
Born in one of the poorest area in Quang Tri, Ngoi was luckyenough to finish higher education at Quang Tri College of Pedagogy.
“Although I did not become a teacher after graduation,during my college days, I gradually learned what I love to do in life,” he said.
A laptop he bought using his savings opened new horizons forNgoi, with his first project to create a Pa Ko ethnic dialect voiceover for ananimation.
“The simple project was warmly welcomed by children andvillagers. They encouraged me to make more voiceovers for other cartoons,” herecalled.
Ngoi’s initiative caught the eye of coordinator of a healthproject between the Netherlands and Vietnam and he was recruited as a volunteerto take pictures of children and life in mountainous areas. The project alsooffered him training courses on movie-making.
His films authentically portray the daily lives andfestivals of Pa Ko people from the perspective of an insider.
As well as winning villagers’ hearts, Ngoi’s photographswere purchased by the project as promotion materials. These experiences madehim a popular photographer in the area.
“However, the job is simply a means to earn money to nurturebigger dreams,” he said. “I am passionate in film-making about Pa Ko people,forests and mountains where I grew up.”
Even though he doesn’t earn lots of money, serving thecommunity, especially children, is still Ngoi’s priority.
“I used to be a shy kid, just like other children living inthe isolated area where the concept of life skills and social skills remainsunknowns,” he said.
His life changed when he went to study in the city andlearnt to record videos and dance.
“Movies are my passion but thanks to hip-hop dancing, Istarted exploring myself,” he added.
Understanding the disadvantages village children are copingwith, in March 2015, Ngoi and some friends established a dance crew called AkayVel (Village’s children in Pa Ko language).
This is an open group aiming to help improve children’sconfidence and release their energy, so anyone can join to practise andperform.
He also opened a public library at his home, making it aplace where village children come to read, play and learn to dance for free.
“My only concern is my limited budget can only afford ahundred books, so the children have read them all,” he said.
Every afternoon, he waits for children to come to read themstories to encourage them to chase their dreams and believe in themselves,despite their disadvantaged living condition.-VNS/VNA
VNA
