Volunteer footprints in difficult lands

(Baonghean) - The scorching heat of summer cannot stop the footsteps of climbing mountains and wading streams to return to remote villages of Chau Thanh commune, Quy Hop district to carry out very practical projects and tasks of the youth, contributing to the construction of new rural areas.

Don't be afraid to step up to difficulties

In Chau Thanh commune, the Youth Volunteer Team (YV) of 6 universities and colleges focused on organizing volunteer activities in Na An, Cham Hieng, Co villages and the commune center. Because the areas are on average 4-5km apart, the terrain and traffic are still difficult, the team has to move continuously, and cannot stay in one place" - Vu Hai Tung, Team Leader of the Youth Volunteer Team of Vinh Medical University shared.

The area is large, having to move continuously on mountainous terrain, the volunteers' only means of transportation is their feet. The first days of climbing passes and wading through streams made their feet tired, but absolutely, no one counted how many streams they passed, because their minds were filled with the feelings in Chau Thanh, a land of many difficulties and hardships.

On the bumpy road leading to the Cham Hieng village cultural house, the sounds of teasing and laughter make the construction site bustling with green volunteer shirts. Here, more than 30 students of the Faculty of Law, Vinh University are participating in building a volleyball court. Under the scorching sun, the young people who are not used to heavy work and carrying heavy loads, but work very enthusiastically, especially the girls, no less than the men.

Cao Thi Thu Hien - a volunteer team member shared: "Although I am not as strong as the boys, but here, whatever the boys can do, we can do too. From morning to afternoon, doing things like shoveling rocks, pushing a dump truck, I feel normal and not overwhelmed."

Volunteer students from Vinh University participate in building a volleyball court in Cham Hieng village, Chau Thanh commune (Quy Hop). Photo: My Nga

One group of young men used wheelbarrows to transport crushed stone, another group rhythmically mixed concrete. Another group, when concrete was pumped in, used construction tools to scrape the concrete to level the yard.

"When the concrete is pumped in by a tanker truck from outside, someone has to work immediately. If we don't do it in time, the concrete will dry out, so we always have to be ready," the students said in unison.

Sweat pouring down like a shower, clothes covered in dust, Nguyen Nhan Tu Huy (Captain of the Law Faculty Volunteer Team) said: “The working atmosphere is very urgent and cheerful. We just hope to contribute a small part of our efforts so that the people here can have a cleaner and more spacious playground and living area.”

The volunteer team of Vinh University of Technical Education is responsible for repairing the electrical system for families in Tien Thanh hamlet and the power grid to ensure safety, organizing propaganda, instructing on how to use electricity economically, announcing regulations on the safety corridor of overhead power lines, and replacing light bulbs.

“When young people came to their homes to wire the lights, the people here were very happy and excited. In a poor village, having electricity to light up is bringing a new, practical vitality” - the people of Tien Thanh hamlet happily shared.

Temporarily leaving the lecture hall, the hardships from many jobs, though hard, could not stop the joyful eyes of the volunteer spirit. They went to the most difficult places, to the families in need of help to share, to light up the hope for a more fulfilling life.

Volunteer and "skillful mass mobilization"

After the first moments of confusion when coming to the base, after days of "eating - living - working together" with the local people, each volunteer gradually matured and understood the local customs and practices.

“On the first day of working with the children here, I thought it would be just like my younger siblings at home, and it would be easy to teach. However, when teaching, I found it a bit difficult, because their Mandarin is still poor,” Nguyen Thi Thao Nhi, a student at the College of Culture and Arts, confided.

This is also the common feeling of many “green-shirt teachers”. However, gradually through contact and love for children, volunteer classes have attracted more and more students. Not only do they review culture, they also learn to draw, sing, and participate in games.

Amidst the bustling singing throughout the Na An village cultural house, the children’s eyes lit up in a vibrant summer. Vi Thi Thao confided: “Usually when summer comes, we stay home to help our parents. This year, there are volunteers coming to organize summer activities, we feel very happy.”

It is the enthusiasm and friendliness of the young teachers that has created closeness, erased the shy distance, and given the children here the courage to have a rewarding summer, both learning and playing.

Students from the Pedagogical College and the Art College teach children in mountainous areas. Photo: My Nga

One of the tasks of the youth volunteer teams is to organize propaganda and dissemination of laws and environmental sanitation, helping people know how to live hygienically and prevent common diseases. Clean, beautiful, and airy roads are cleared and paved, creating a new environmental landscape in the villages. All activities receive enthusiastic participation from local people.

Nguyen Van Chien, a student at Vinh University of Technical Education, shared: “Wherever we go, we receive support. Not only do union members and young people participate, but the local people also support us. This gives us more motivation to try to complete our tasks.”

Not only shown in practical activities, the actions and enthusiastic atmosphere of the TNTN teams have aroused the spirit and movement of people participating in building new rural areas.

“Seeing young volunteers from far away come to help our village build roads and clean the environment, there is no reason for us not to do the same. It is both fun and friendly. The few days that the volunteers come to the village, it is always bustling, going to work during the day and coming back at night to participate in activities, exchange, solidarity and friendliness” - people of Co village shared.

Volunteer students from Vinh Medical University examined and gave free medicine to more than 500 people. Photo: My Nga

“If I were a bird, a leaf/ Then the bird must sing, the leaf must be green/ How could I borrow without paying back/ To live is to give, not just to receive”. The ideal of “living to contribute” has brought students closer together and to live to the fullest through summer volunteer trips. The drops of sweat, tears, and smiles created by the flames of youth have created a meaningful summer.

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