Those who go up the mountain to spread joy

Hundreds of Tay and Dao ethnic minority children at Khai Trung Primary and Secondary School (Tan Linh commune, Lao Cai province) recently had a very special few days: they spent their days sketching the familiar beauty of their homeland with the Hanoi Urban Sketching group.

Children in Khai Trung, along with their teachers and friends from Hanoi, paint the green plains of their homeland - Photo: THANH THUY

In the bright sunshine of early June, Giap Luong village, Tan Linh commune, suddenly became unusually lively as it welcomed a group of nearly 50 volunteers from the Hanoi Urban Sketching group who came to guide the children in sketching and organize lively recreational activities for them.

A joyful day in the village

In those days, amidst the fragrant harvest fields, beside the endless green cornfields, in the midst of ancient stilt houses, at the foot of the beautiful Tat En hill, and in the mysterious Diem cave... one could see groups of adults and children standing and sitting, engrossed in drawing.

Morning and evening, along the winding paths through the palm-covered hills, cornfields, rice paddies, and fragrant lotus ponds of the green Khai Trung plain, little figures walk hand in hand, carrying brand-new plastic bags filled with paper, pens, and crayons they've just received as gifts.

Some other groups, whose homes were further away, cycled in a line. They arrived at the meeting point, the stilt house of Mr. and Mrs. Sưu in Giáp Luồng village, and joined groups of teachers, architects, and university students to draw the beautiful features of their homeland with great excitement.

Although the drawing session wasn't scheduled until 8 a.m., the children had already gathered around the meeting point by 6 a.m. Since it wasn't time yet, they found a corner to sit and draw on paper and pens. Ly Thuc Quyen, Trieu Thuy Phuong, Phung Thi Thu Yen... often crawled on the floor of the stilt house, drawing enthusiastically. Phung Van Than, a 4th-grade student from Giap Cang village, was even more engrossed, drawing to make up for the first day he couldn't participate.

The boy, who usually only liked drawing kites, was guided by the teachers in the group to draw a portrait of a Red Dao woman in traditional attire. During those days of drawing, the boy's face never seemed to leave his lips.

What was even more enjoyable was that the children were able to admire the traditional stilt houses, cornfields, and the brocade clothing of the elderly women... beautifully "reborn" in the paintings of architects and volunteers. Not only did they get to paint, but the children and adults in Khai Trung also participated in a fun evening of cultural performances organized by the hosts and guests.

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Let the seeds bloom.

The children are engrossed in drawing - Photo: KIM PHUONG

The meaningful gift that the Hanoi Urban Sketching group sent to the children in Khai Trung, Tan Linh commune, Lao Cai province is part of the "Let the Seeds Bloom" program series that the group persistently carries out annually.

Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, head of the Hanoi Urban Sketching group, said that over the past six years, hundreds of children from remote areas have been taken by architects and volunteers from Hanoi to sketch the beautiful landscapes and lifestyles of their hometowns, receive gifts, and enjoy singing and playing games.

Instead of simply giving gifts and spending a few days playing with the children, the group chose a more "sustainable" approach to giving.

The group's trips weren't just about bringing paper, crayons, or gifts for the children.

Through each brushstroke, the group guides local children through activities that experience local culture, art exhibitions, and cultural exchanges. The group aims to tell beautiful stories about the land and people of that place, instilling in the children a sense of pride in their homeland, an awareness of preserving cultural identity, and a commitment to protecting heritage values ​​for future generations.

Witnessing the days spent under the sun sketching the beautiful scenery of Khai Trung by the Hanoi Urban Sketching Group to donate to the local community, diligently guiding the children in drawing on the ground, and especially seeing the joy in the eyes of the children in the village, Mr. Trieu Van Huan - Vice Chairman of the Tan Linh Commune People's Committee - said he was truly moved.

"They have provided the children not only with pens, paper, colors, and drawing lessons... but also with a warm, joyful atmosphere, and most importantly, they have inspired them to love their homeland even more, as well as nurtured their dreams and aspirations," Mr. Huan said.

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Accompanying the Hanoi Urban Sketching group and the students of Khai Trung Primary and Secondary School on their journey to sow seeds that will blossom, Mr. Hoang Trung Thong - Principal of Khai Trung Primary and Secondary School - said that the friendly and intimate exchange sessions, sketching guidance, and practical, loving gifts have spread great joy to the students and teachers here.

The principal believes that the experiences with the Hanoi Urban Sketching group will leave a beautiful mark on the growth journey of the children in Tan Linh highland.

Since 2020, the Hanoi Urban Sketching group has organized seven "For the Seeds to Bloom" programs, including a program in Pu Luong commune, Thanh Hoa province in 2020, Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh in 2022, and in villages and communes of the former Yen Bai province, now Lao Cai province: Mu Cang Chai in 2023, Chao Ha village in 2024, Giao Luong village, Tan Linh commune in 2026, and a program in Hanoi in 2025.

BIRD OF HEAVEN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhung-nguoi-len-nui-gieo-vui-20260615100047496.htm