Bringing the winter of compassion to the mountains.

*Winter jackets were donated to children by a volunteer group. Photo: SONG THANH*

When human kindness overcomes landslides and hardships.

During a winter volunteer trip to Tak Pang peak (Tra Tap commune), volunteers from the Smile Station found themselves in an unexpected situation when a sudden landslide cut off both the access and exit roads to the commune. Instead of panicking or trying to leave at all costs, the young people decided to stay with the villagers, becoming an immediate support force in the mountainous region struggling against the natural disaster.

These young people, who were used to office work, have now switched to helping people move their belongings, clear mud and debris, transport goods, and distribute essential supplies to each household.

Witnessing the landslide completely burying the kitchen at Tu Nuong school (Tra Tap commune), the Lai Thieu 1987 Year Olds volunteer group quickly stepped in. After a period of urgent construction amidst difficult weather and terrain conditions, the new kitchen for the school was completed and put into use in time to serve daily meals for the children and teachers there.

Ms. Doan Thao Vy, a member of the volunteer group, emotionally shared, "From the far south, our group learned that Tu Nuong school had just suffered a severe landslide, burying the kitchen. That image made the whole group unable to sit still. The geographical distance is great, but just thinking about the children's meals being interrupted, we decided we had to do something immediately," Ms. Vy said.

The Phi One-Legged Volunteer Group has just completed a meaningful winter charity trip to hamlets 5 and 6 in Phuoc Thanh commune. This is the most remote area of the former Phuoc Son district, with rugged terrain, and to reach the villages, the group had to overcome long stretches of road with many dangerous landslides. Due to the cold rain, trucks carrying supplies couldn't reach the area, so the villagers helped the group carry the goods into the villages.

Mr. Tran Hong Phuc, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City Charity Association, said that since the beginning of November, the Association has received many requests for information and addresses of remote mountainous areas from volunteer groups. After contacting these groups, they quickly conducted on-site surveys and then launched fundraising campaigns to ensure they could depart in December – the time when people in mountainous areas need warmth the most.

Winter volunteer programs have undergone significant changes in recent years. Some groups focus on distributing warm clothing and cooking meals; others with more resources build new kitchens or renovate classrooms. Despite the different approaches, the common thread remains a heartfelt desire to help the people in the highlands and share some of their difficulties when the cold season arrives.

"Every winter, we will set off again."

The "Warm Winter in the Highlands" journey last weekend by the Da Nang Vegetarian Club was made special by the biting cold of the highland winter, coupled with successive landslides, making each step up to the summit of Loong Poc (Tra My commune) feel even heavier.

More than a month after the landslide, Loong Poc peak remains littered with rocks and debris, and the ground is covered in muddy trenches. Amidst this scene, the presence of volunteers becomes even more heartwarming, providing support to the villagers who are struggling to overcome these most difficult days.

Loong Poc hamlet is perched precariously on a hillside, home to 65 households, all of whom are Ca Dong ethnic people. The villagers most desperately need warm clothes, thick blankets, and rice to survive the harsh winter. Thus, a fundraising campaign was launched, with the generous contributions of kind-hearted individuals quietly accumulating to support the trip.

The volunteer group distributed 65 gift packages to households, including warm blankets, warm clothes, rice, instant noodles, spices, and daily necessities. The young volunteers also cooked a simple but fulfilling meal. The moment the whole community gathered around the fire, the sounds of laughter mingled with the aroma of vegetarian food, making the charitable journey even more complete.

Ms. Ngo Cam Tu shared that many young people in the club are attached to "Warm Winter in the Great Forest" not because of the program's scale, but because of the unique feeling of warmth they get when witnessing the smiles of the local people in the cold season, and seeing the small gifts reach those in need. It is these simple moments that have become the motivation for the group to keep their promise: every winter, they will set off again.

Returning from flood relief efforts in Phu Yen without a moment's rest, Mr. Dao Kim Long and the members of the Huong Sen Charity Club in Da Nang are already busy embarking on a new journey. They are continuing their fundraising efforts for warm clothing and blankets for the "Warm Winter - Peaceful Spring" charity program, scheduled for December 13th in Avuong commune. With the desire to bring the children a less harsh winter and a more fulfilling spring, all members are working hard to prepare, because the most meaningful aspect of the program is not just giving gifts, but also giving joy and motivation for the children to confidently go to school during the cold, rainy days in the mountainous region.

Many volunteer groups have also planned to organize the "Warm Winter in the Great Forest" program at the end of December. Accordingly, the Youth Solidarity Club will carry it out at Ong Binh peak, Tra Leng commune; the Tam Giao Club will organize it in Nam Giang commune; the Da Nang Friends group will organize it in Tra Linh commune; the Hand in Hand Vietnam-Korea Charity group will organize it in Tra Tan commune...

Source: https://baodanang.vn/mang-mua-dong-nhan-ai-ve-dai-ngan-3314857.html