VOLUNTARY
PROGRAM- A MUST-DO THING FOR EVERY YOUNGSTER
Trần Bảo (AAEE coordinator, Vietnam)
While
AAEE Mero Sathi project’s members are on their journey to Nepal for voluntary
work, Vietnamese students in Ho Chi Minh City are joining a program called “The
Spring Voluntary Campaign”.
The
Spring Voluntary Campaign is yearly organized by Vietnamese Student’s
Association. The idea was first come up with by University of Social
Sciences and Humanities. This year, it attracts over 30.000 students from 52
universities and high schools in HCM city. The campaign was planned to happen
from 10.1 to 6.2.2016.
The
opening campaign ceremony for all universities and schools on 10/01/2016
The
opening campaign ceremony at each university. (In this photo is International
University’s teams)
In
order to raise funds for the campaign’s activities, we set up fairs selling
food, drink or handmade stuff.
One
common activity which reflects Vietnamese tradition on Tet holiday is wrapping
Tet cakes. Tet cake is usually cooked during the night. Staying up waiting for
the cakes to be perfectly cooked is also what Vietnamese people love to do in
the past. Those Tet cakes are then given to the elderly or the poor where we
are going to come and visit.
Every
team of volunteers goes to several places where there are people in need. Each
journey to the place takes several days. On 24/01 ,for example, team Business
Administration from International University went to Long An Province, Huong
Tho Phu town. The journey lasts for 5 days with various meaningful activities.
“Tet
for children” took place at a small primary school at HTP town.
The
children enthusiastically took part in every game.
Teaching
English for primary students at Huong Binh primary school- one of the smallest
school in the town, including only 5 classes.
“I
like the class and the teacher a lot! I want to have another class like this
tomorrow”- said a student.
Come
and visit Vietnamese heroic mother- showing our respect and gratitude towards
people who sacrificed their families to give our country independence.
Gala
night for local people (including musical performance and scholarship rewarding
to poor children)
“Joining
the spring voluntary campaign is one of the most lucid decision I’ve ever made. Not only did it offer me a feeling of
being useful to the society but it also created an opportunity for me to make
new friends, those later became as close to me as my family.” – said a
volunteer.
“We
spent 5 days together; About 20 people per room. We couldn’t even move when
sleeping. But now when I’ve come back to my own room at home, I can feel the
uncomfortable emptiness. Voluntary program gave me not only maturation but also
perfect social relationships!” – a participant shared on her Facebook.
Everywhere
we come to, the local people always show their warmest welcome to us and as we
leave, they insist in us staying for a few more days and ask us to come back.
The
voluntary spring campaign has become a yearly common practice. Every year, the
yellow uniform spreads through various regions of the countries bringing the
signal of the traditional Tet holiday and the enthusiasm of the youth to help
their society. Up to now, this campaign is only restricted to students from
universities and high schools in HCM City. In the future, we really look
forward to extending it that it can reach young generation in other regions as
well as foreign students in Vietnam.
If
you are interested in this campaign, please share your ideas with us!
