Hanoi students recycle wood to create playground for children in mountainous areas

Regenerating old wooden bars

The Wood Reuse and Recycling Project started from a simple but practical concern of the Mira Wood Workshop group of students, including students of various ages from grades 6 to 10 in Hanoi : How to utilize old wooden bars that are usually discarded, turn them into useful products and bring joy to the less fortunate? From there, the students embarked on a journey to regenerate old materials, while nurturing the spirit of sharing and a sense of responsibility to the community.

In the 2024-2025 school year, students will start by surveying and collecting old wood from stairs, crates, old beds, etc. at second-hand markets, families, and other wood sources in Hanoi. Under the guidance of teachers, each piece of wood is carefully cleaned, processed, cut, and sanded to prepare for the crafting stage.

Students create new products from old pieces of wood.

Teacher Dieu Linh - the person in charge of Mira Wood Workshop said: At the practice workshop, the children's immature hands were initially clumsy with chisels, saws, grinders... There were many scratches on their hands, many times sawing crookedly, drilling incorrectly, but day by day, the children overcame their fear, got used to the machines, learned how to measure accurately and assemble carefully.

The first completed products were musical wooden chests, mini wooden cabinets, decorative trays, decorative lights, etc. They were sold at school events, along with letters calling for support sent to teachers, parents and friends. The proceeds became the fund for a charitable journey full of love.

Recycled wood playground for children in Nam Gion highlands

The most memorable journey of the project was the 4-day volunteer trip to Huoi San and Huoi Hoc schools of Nam Gion Kindergarten, Nam Gion commune, Muong La district, Son La province.

Hanoi students make a playground from recycled wood for Huoi San school

In April 2025, a group of 12 students and teachers set off from Hanoi at 5:00 a.m., crossing more than 400 km of winding mountain roads. When they arrived at Huoi San school, it was already dark, and the students immediately got to work. Teacher Dieu Linh said that during the 4 days in the village, the students woke up at 5:30 a.m., and sometimes worked until 11:00 p.m. They leveled the land, dug holes, and assembled each detail by themselves, their backs drenched in sweat, but no one complained or gave up. From recycled and reused wood, the students made 4 wooden horses, 1 Pickler ladder, 1 wooden swing, 12 wooden chairs, 4 bookshelves, 1 continuous system, 1 balance bridge, and 1 rainbow seesaw.

In addition to installing the exercise system, the children also took advantage of their break time to bring gifts such as books, cakes, rice and wooden toy kits made by themselves to children and disadvantaged families. In the evening, they organized an outdoor cinema, sharing warm moments and simple joys with the children in the highlands.

Inauguration and handover of the playground built by Hanoi students to Nam Gion Kindergarten

On the afternoon of April 27, 2025, the project was completed. A colorful playground made of recycled wood appeared in the middle of the Northwest mountains and forests. Many Huoi San children experienced slides, swings, seesaws and Pickler ladders for the first time in their lives. Laughter echoed throughout the village.

"We not only want to build a playground, but also want to ignite the belief that there are still people who see them, understand them and love them" - a student in the project group shared.

Joy not only for village children

Looking at the unfamiliar village children bursting into joy when playing on the slide, running and jumping on the balance beam, Ms. Dieu Linh emotionally shared: "When starting the project, many children did not think that recycled wood could be used to make equipment for children, and could bring so much joy to children in the highlands. On the other hand, the eager, round eyes, the little hands clinging tightly to the swing... became the biggest reward for the group of students in the city."

Children of Huoi San camp were excited with the special gift given by the seniors from Hanoi.

Parents who closely follow their children's journey were also moved to see the city children who were used to comforts now know how to build tents, cook rice, wash clothes, and then work together to complete the project for children in the highlands. Binh Minh's father wrote to his daughter these emotional lines: "When you and your team started building a playground for children in disadvantaged areas, you not only brought a playground, but you also lit up a ray of light in the midst of fog and hardship." Hai Phong's father shared: "Seeing you and your teammates passionately, enthusiastically and responsibly with the project to contribute a small part to support children in difficult schools, I feel so proud and happy. My Hai Phong has really grown up!".

It can be said that the Wood Reuse and Recycling project does not stop at regenerating old wooden bars or building a playground. It also sows the seeds of love, trust and responsibility in the hearts of urban children. They have learned a valuable lesson: Becoming a useful person does not necessarily mean rewards or titles, but the ability to quietly give – sometimes just a small playground, but can change the childhood of a child in the highlands.

The journey at Huoi San has ended, but for those who have been through it, those are the memories that will never fade. Those are the bright eyes of the children sitting on the wooden horses, the crisp laughter on the balance beam, the sweat, the effort and the perseverance. Above all, it is the belief that the best things always start from kindness and sharing.

Project introduction area "Wood Reuse and Recycling" at the exhibition "Small Footprints"

The project "Reuse and Recycle Wood" by Mira Wood Workshop children is one of the projects introduced at the exhibition "Small Footprints" (taking place from May 24 to 27, 2025 at the Hanoi Old Quarter Cultural Exchange Center). The exhibition introduces a series of community projects initiated, led and implemented by Hanoi students. The projects participating in the exhibition have many contents such as cultural preservation, sustainable economic development, mental health care, energy saving and green living...

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/hoc-sinh-ha-noi-tai-che-go-thanh-khu-vui-choi-tre-em-vung-cao-20250526002822147.htm