Summer Volunteer Program

As summer arrives, the blue volunteer uniforms are once again deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people through meaningful projects and activities. Besides volunteer teams in the provinces and cities of the Mekong Delta region, the 2025 Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign, implemented by the youth of Can Tho City, will include volunteer teams in the Central Highlands and islands. Activities will focus on participating in building new rural areas, civilized urban areas, and social welfare, especially the "Digital Literacy Campaign" with many activities guiding people in digital transformation.

The SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding) team collecting waste, affiliated with the Ninh Kieu District Youth Union, was launched at the environmental sanitation campaign to protect the local river.

The environmental cleanup campaign to protect the local river, organized by the Ninh Kieu District Youth Union in collaboration with Anh Mai Sports Service Trading Company Limited - The Green Paddle, took place last weekend and attracted over 200 youth union members, young people, and residents. Volunteers were equipped with stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) to access hard-to-reach garbage accumulation points on the Khai Luong Canal, Cai Khe Canal, and the section of the river from Rach Ngong 1 Bridge to Rach Ngong 2 Bridge. This initiative encourages the development of water sports models linked to environmental responsibility in the city. The district's youth hope that the collaborative activities between organizations, businesses, and residents will contribute to fostering a sense of community responsibility and creating a sustainable living environment. The Green Paddle is committed to collaborating with the Youth Union in organizing regular "Paddle for a Green River" events, free paddling classes, creating community spaces, promoting environmental protection, and spreading a healthy lifestyle. The project is also part of a 3-year (2025-2028) pilot social mobilization program, creating a highlight for the development of sustainable ecotourism and sports.

According to Ms. Pham Thai Thu, Secretary of the Ninh Kieu District Youth Union, the new approach of linking sports with volunteer activities has attracted young people to participate in environmental protection. Recently, the district's youth have also implemented many models to participate in building urban civilization, such as "Youth Volunteers with 3 Volunteers" (building urban civilization, social order and safety, and caring for social welfare), and "Safe - Green - Clean" streets (alleys). Youth Union branches regularly organize activities to maintain a green, clean, and beautiful environment, combined with disseminating information and laws on environmental protection, especially during the Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign. These activities contribute to a shift in the awareness and consciousness of young people in building a civilized urban lifestyle, forming habits of maintaining hygiene and a green lifestyle.

During the opening week of the Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign, 100% of the units under the City Youth Union organized at least one activity in response, focusing on social welfare activities, volunteering to build new rural areas and civilized urban areas. In particular, the "Digital Literacy Campaign" was widely implemented, with activities guiding people on digital transformation, safe social media use, and basic office software. For example, the Youth Union of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Nursing under the Youth Union of Tay Do University organized guidance for residents of Hung Phu ward (Cai Rang district) on installing electronic payment applications and using online public services. Meanwhile, the Youth Union of Can Tho University of Technology established a volunteer team to provide free computer training for village and neighborhood officials and students during the summer. Training in the civilized and safe use of social media, as well as road repair and public lighting installation activities – areas where the school's youth have excelled for many years...

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign at the end of May 2025, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, noted that all levels of the Youth Union and Associations need to continue promoting the role of youth in participating in socio-economic development, especially in difficult areas, remote areas, and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities. She emphasized strengthening inter-sectoral coordination to maximize resource mobilization and create favorable conditions for young people to contribute and grow during the campaign. She stressed the importance of ensuring absolute safety for volunteers throughout the implementation process, especially when operating in geographically or weather-sensitive areas. She also stressed the need for close integration of volunteer activities with the education of life ideals, a sense of responsibility, and a desire to contribute to the younger generation.

The summer youth volunteer campaign will take place from the end of May to the end of August 2025, comprising one program (Supporting Students During Exams) and four campaigns (Green Summer, Red Phoenix Flower, Green March, Pink Holiday). The youth of Can Tho City have set 12 targets to strive for, including: completing at least 20 youth projects and activities to celebrate the Party Congress at all levels; supporting foreign language skills and international integration for 4,000 youth union members and children; building 10 houses for people in difficult circumstances; providing career guidance and job placement services for at least 15,000 youth union members; and striving to recommend at least 200 outstanding youth union members as volunteer soldiers for the Party to consider for membership.

Text and photos: QUOC THAI

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/he-tinh-nguyen-a187220.html