Through slow motion footage, the boy who dropped out of school in 10th grade hopes to help poor people.
In recent years, social networks have begun to flourish in the trend of posting videos about the lives of ethnic minorities in high mountain areas. Through this, viewers can feel the beautiful natural scenery, culture, specialties as well as the daily life of people…
And viewers almost think that the YouTuber – the owner of the video series – is a lowly person with qualifications and understanding of society and technology… But in reality, there are many famous YouTubers who are ethnic minorities.
Becoming a YouTuber helps ethnic people
In Meo Vac (Ha Giang), there is a Hmong ethnic boy who pursues a job as a YouTuber even though he only completed the 10th grade and cannot read and speak Kinh language fluently. That is Tho Mi Tinh (born 1998) – owner of YouTube channel Ngoc Tinh with nearly 75,000 subscribers.
Tho Mi Tinh and his young wife
At the beginning of the story, the young man admitted that he was not fluent in writing in Kinh but could listen and speak fluently. He now has a small family, living with his father in a small house at the foot of a high mountain in Meo Vac.
Mi Tinh confided: “I am married and have two children. My mother just passed away last year, and my father is old and weak and can’t do anything. That’s why I still grow corn and take care of my family. I have to allocate my time to balance being a YouTuber and taking care of the house.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the H’mong ethnic guy shared his great opportunity to become a YouTuber. Since the 8th grade, he has known about smartphones and video cameras, and even has a basic understanding of video editing. At that time, he wished he could do the same job when he grew up because he loved to explore and go to many places to experience.
At the end of the first semester of grade 10, Mi Tinh temporarily put aside her dream of going to school because her family was too poor and had no money to pay tuition. After that, he followed a group of young people in the village to work in China, earning money to send back to his parents to feed his children.
Tinh has helped many families in difficult circumstances
“There, I worked as a filter bag into each type with a salary of 3 million VND/month. The work sounds leisurely but is actually very hard, the employer exploits the labor force badly and the salary is meager.
I worked there for 6 years, didn’t get any salary increase, so I decided to go back to my hometown to work in the fields.”Mi Tinh recalls.
Returning to his hometown, Mi Tinh suddenly thought of his dream of middle school days and had some capital, so he decided to try being a YouTuber. He admits that the job is new, he doesn’t know if it will generate income or not, but he can be close to his parents. Moreover, he can help people in difficult circumstances through slow motion footage.
“I bought a smartphone to film the lives of my countrymen. That day, I was excitedly waiting for the product to “come out” but was confused when I didn’t know how to post it because there was no internet connection in the village.
I had to walk nearly 2km to a place with wifi signal. Then I gradually learned a little bit of knowledge about YouTube online. I finally created my own channel and release videos every day.”Mi Tinh talks about when he first started his career.
Through the video, the H’mong ethnic boy also wants to show off the scenery of his homeland and develop local tourism
Mi Tinh’s YouTube channel always preserves unique features about customs, culture, culinary tourism, life in the wild highland mountains… In addition, he also posts the lives of households. There are extremely difficult circumstances in the canal area. Viewers will then send gifts and money to help them improve their lives.
“At that time, I will be the connecting link – the “postman” who helps sponsors contact families in difficulty. Many cases are not widely known, so I have to spend my own money to buy rice, necessities or seeds for them to cultivate.
I was born and raised in the high mountains so I understand clearly how poverty surrounds me. If people do not have money to buy livestock breeds and only rely on a few stir-fries of corn, they will be hungry and thirsty all year round“, Mi Tinh confided.
Going all the way in the highlands, “in the face” of the people
Mentioning the need to have knowledge of video recording and editing before uploading it to the YouTube platform, the young man admitted that he knew nothing. He just went online to research and learned little by little. Many people say he has a professional team behind him but in reality it’s just him.
“I learned everything, from someone who knew nothing to the YouTuber I am today. Compared to other brothers and sisters, I have not had any outstanding achievements. But I am always satisfied and happy to have helped many difficult situations.”Mi Tinh confided.
In the first two years, Mi Tinh did everything herself, from filming, editing to posting on the channel. For more than a year, he invited his cousin to help. This person is in charge of filming, while he connects and acts as the person who talks to the “character”.
After more than 3 years of sticking with the profession, going all the way in the highlands, “smoothing” the people, Mi Tinh has had hundreds of products with “super huge” views, helping many difficult families.
“My current job is more free than when I went to China, it’s not as hard as working as a laborer, it makes more money than growing corn and potatoes… But in reality it’s not easy at all. There are situations in the region High on rocky mountains, motorbikes cannot go, so you have to walk for about 1 hour or 3 hours. Or there are dangerous mountain passes, just a little carelessness and you will fall down the cliff and lose your life.
At that time, I felt discouraged and extremely tired, but my compatriots tried hard. I know that just by posting on the channel, they will receive support from sponsors and their lives will improve somewhat.”YouTuber Ha Giang said.
Tinh’s work
Regarding income as a YouTuber, Mi Tinh revealed that she receives 18 million VND in salary every month. That amount of money for his compatriots was not small, but his life was still extremely difficult. You have to take care of your small family, your elderly father…
“Lately, I rarely make videos because I’m busy with family matters. However, I still regularly go to villages and help poor households. In the near future, I will make a video and share it on the channel for everyone to see“, the boy confided.