This year, my child chose to volunteer for sea turtle conservation in Ninh Thuan. This is a journey that both of us have been looking forward to. I registered for the program in December 2025. This activity takes place once a year. The organizers accept applications at the end of the previous year to prepare for the following summer. After the application is approved, the person in charge will send the training schedule via email so we can choose our participation method before starting work: in-person or online.
The online format is only for members outside Ho Chi Minh City and those who have participated before. We went last year, so this year we could choose to study via Zoom. However, when informed, my child shook their head and whispered, "I prefer in-person learning; it's easier to understand, and I'll have the chance to meet Uncle Trung and the other organizers again." Hearing that filled my heart with an indescribable warmth; some connections are forged little by little each year, silently strengthening over the years.
This program is organized by the "My Family Loves Nature Vietnam" group, founded by Mr. Phung My Trung. For over 10 years, he and his colleagues have diligently organized numerous educational activities on nature conservation, especially wildlife and sea turtle conservation. My child has been involved with the group since the age of 8 and is now 13.
The children in the group not only learned theory but also directly experienced the work of conservationists at Nui Chua National Park (Ninh Thuan), Bu Gia Map National Park (Binh Phuoc), and Cat Tien National Park ( Dong Nai ). The children took turns preparing food for the animals, cleaning the enclosures, and caring for individual animals…
These are all practical tasks that the gardeners do every day, hard work, dangerous, but also full of joy. Sea turtle conservation, in particular, requires volunteers to stay up all night, walking along the coast to watch for turtles laying eggs and protecting the nests until the hatchlings are born. Each work session lasts at least a week under the scorching summer sun, amidst the buzzing of cicadas and precious, meaningful moments.
The training session lasted nearly four hours, quite a long time for a weekend. However, everyone in the room that day was focused and eager to listen to Mr. Trung's lecture. Every now and then, he skillfully interjected humorous remarks to lighten the mood. Each time, the entire room burst into laughter, transforming the previously quiet space into a lively one, thus energizing everyone to continue learning.
The participants are mostly young people, willing to dedicate their time and effort to conservation work. Others are parents like me, participating with our children. This work is only for those 22 years and older; those younger need to be accompanied by a parent. Therefore, every year I follow my child, exploring together during the summer. These trips together help my child and I become closer and more bonded. My child also matures more as a result.
On the morning of his first day of school, the boy woke up earlier than usual. On weekends, he usually slept in until 10 a.m., but that morning he was already awake at 6 a.m. The night before, he had prepared his notebook and pen, woke up, had breakfast, and set off with his mother. In the lecture hall, he sat upright, read his materials, and listened attentively to the lecture.
I looked at my son, and for a moment, memories of the early days came flooding back. When he first started, he was so restless, unable to sit still. But now he's so mature. Back then, I used to encourage him to join, but now that he understands the work, he reminds me every year, "Mom, remember to sign me up for the Summer Volunteer Program!"
Some people say to me, "You must have a lot of free time to travel like that." I just smile, without explaining, because I know everyone has the same amount of time. It's just that each person chooses to use it differently. I choose to accompany my child. I choose to grow up with my child, because I understand that childhood will pass, and there will come a time when my child no longer needs me to accompany them on journeys like this. And at that time, what remains will not be what I teach my child through words, but what they have lived, experienced, and felt.
A child's soul is like fertile ground; whatever you sow in it, you will reap. I don't expect to teach my child grand ideas, only that they learn to live responsibly towards themselves, their family, and to be useful to society.
I believe that the seeds sown from real-life experiences will take root firmly, serving as a valuable asset for children as they grow up. Later, when they are adults, they can smile and proudly say that they had such wonderful summers.
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/cung-con-lam-tinh-nguyen-vien-post781605.html
