Hearts for the community

the enthusiasm of youth

Tran Gia Nghi (second from the right) receives donations from the public.

In late November, Tran Gia Nghi, a student at the University of Science - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (a former student of Tran Van Giau Specialized High School, Long An Ward, Tay Ninh Province), did not hesitate to register for the school's volunteer team to participate in supporting people affected by storms and floods.

For Gia Nghi, it's not just a simple act of contribution, but also a responsibility of a young person facing the difficulties of their compatriots. “When Central and Northern Vietnam continuously suffered from major storms, I always wanted to join everyone in providing support. When the University's Youth Union and Student Association launched a program to receive donations following the call from the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee, I immediately registered to participate,” Nghi shared.

From November 22nd to 25th, Gia Nghi was present at the receiving point whenever her school schedule didn't conflict. Her work was extensive and continuous, including receiving essential supplies, sorting clothes by gender and size, dividing goods into sections, and loading oversized boxes from other locations onto the school. Nghi and her friends also directly loaded goods onto the truck to ensure timely overnight transport to Khanh Hoa .

The operation was initially planned for three days, but the overwhelming volume of supplies forced the volunteer team to extend it until the evening of November 25th. "Time was tight, the workload was immense, and we had to coordinate seamlessly to get the supplies to the flood-affected people as quickly as possible," Gia Nghi said.

Some buses had to wait until late at night to reach the school, making things even more difficult for the young people. However, the collective efforts of the community provided extra motivation. Teachers, students, and even local residents, upon hearing the news, brought essential supplies. "No one needed to register, nor did they ask about receiving certificates or benefits. Anyone who didn't have classes jumped in to help," Nghi recounted.

Tran Gia Nghi's team participated in a commemorative photo shoot after completing their support mission.

For Gia Nghi, the most memorable moment was the night of November 24th – the night the entire volunteer team stayed up late waiting for the truck to pick up supplies. “Everyone was tired, but we still smiled and chatted. That night, the whole group sang loudly in the schoolyard songs like 'Youth Union Song,' 'Association Song,' 'Joining Hands,' and 'Onward…' At times when we felt completely exhausted, the singing would keep everyone alert and connected.” That's a moment Nghi believes she will never forget.

After days of continuous work, what remained in Nghi's mind was not fatigue, but pride. "I am proud of my friends, my teachers, and my people. On ordinary days, they are just simple people, but when our compatriots face difficulties, they all seem to unite as one, working towards a single goal: helping our people overcome hardship."

Nghi has even more faith in today's generation of students – young people who are not only professionally competent but also have big hearts, ready to dedicate themselves when the country needs them. "Natural science students are not only good in the laboratory. When the country needs them, they are a more reliable force than ever before," Nghi said proudly.

Spreading the spirit of sharing

Ms. Dang Thi Cam Thuy (second from the right) receives donated goods.

Throughout her 11 years in the teaching profession, Ms. Dang Thi Cam Thuy, Head of the Professional Team and teacher of the 5-6 year old kindergarten class at Tan Tru Town Kindergarten (Tan Tru Commune), has always been dedicated to children and responsible to the community. Whenever there are activities for the benefit of the community, Ms. Thuy is always at the forefront, proactively spreading the spirit of sharing.

Witnessing the devastating images of storms and floods in the Central Highlands and Central Vietnam, Thuy's initial emotion was one of deep empathy, especially for children and the elderly. As the Youth Union Secretary, she understood that the collective efforts of young people were an indispensable responsibility.

“The Youth Union must be the leading force, taking the lead to inspire others,” Ms. Thuy shared. Beyond just a spirit of volunteerism, the fundraising activity also carries immense educational significance. For her, as a preschool teacher, instilling in young children the lesson of compassion from their early years is extremely important. “It’s a vivid lesson about the spirit of ‘mutual support and compassion,’ and that we are always ready to help each other overcome hardship,” she said.

As soon as she had the idea, Ms. Thuy presented it to the Youth Union Executive Committee and reported it to the school's Board of Directors. After reaching a consensus, the Youth Union immediately drafted an open letter to send to all teachers, staff, and parents through the school's communication channels such as Zalo groups, Facebook, and class newsletters.

The campaign was launched in just 5 days, focusing on essential necessities such as: dry food including instant noodles, rice, drinking water, and milk; basic medicines such as cold medicine, stomach ache medicine, and antiseptic solutions; and personal items such as usable clothing, blankets, and flashlights.

The school's youth union members were assigned to receive and meticulously record the list of donors. After sorting, the goods were packed securely in boxes and clearly labeled with phrases like "Preschool children's clothing," "Dry food," etc. Due to the large quantity and bulkiness of the goods, the youth union proactively contacted transportation providers. All items were gathered at the Tan Thanh Woodworking Enterprise's charity group (Nhut Tao commune), then transferred to large trucks for transport to Phu Yen – where the local people are in dire need of assistance.

According to Ms. Thuy, the biggest advantage was the proactive spirit of the union members. After just one night of planning, all tasks from launching the initiative to sorting were implemented smoothly. The school also quickly arranged a spacious lobby area as a collection point for the goods, saving time in sorting. However, there were still quite a few difficulties.

"The amount of clothing sent back is enormous. We have to check each item to ensure that the people receive items that are in good condition and ready to use," Ms. Thuy said. The sorting process by age and gender requires a lot of manpower and meticulous attention to detail. Despite the hard work, the collective effort of the team has helped everything go smoothly, on schedule, and safely.

At the end of this "campaign," what Ms. Thuy most desired was not only for the packages to reach the right place at the right time, but also for the spread of humanitarian values. Ms. Thuy shared: "I want to convey three messages: To the flood-affected people: 'You are not alone. We are always thinking of you and hope you will soon overcome the difficulties'; to the youth: 'Young people must be the pioneering force, daring to act and ready to share when the community needs them'; to the younger generation: 'Compassion must be sown early. Children learn through practical actions, and we want them to grow up with beautiful souls, knowing how to love and be responsible.'"

For Ms. Thuy, each charitable activity is not just about giving, but also a way to cultivate good life values - from herself, from colleagues, parents, and especially from the future generations of the country.

The admirable actions of Gia Nghi and Ms. Thuy not only provided timely assistance to flood victims but also conveyed a profound message about solidarity, responsibility, and love.

An Nhien

Source: https://baolongan.vn/nhung-trai-tim-vi-cong-dong-a207582.html