Hearts for the community

The passion of youth

Tran Gia Nghi (2nd from right) receives donations from people

In the last days of November, Tran Gia Nghi, a student at the University of Natural Sciences - Ho Chi Minh City National University (former student of Tran Van Giau High School for the Gifted, 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 is not just a simple contribution activity, but also the responsibility of a young person facing the difficulties of his compatriots. “When the Central and Northern regions continuously suffered from big storms, I always wanted to join everyone to contribute support. When the School Youth Union and Student Association launched a program to receive donations in response to the call of the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee, I immediately registered to participate” - Nghi shared.

From November 22 to 25, Gia Nghi was present at the receiving point when it did not coincide with her school schedule. The work was numerous and continuous, such as receiving necessities, sorting clothes by gender and size, dividing goods into sections, loading and unloading overloaded boxes from other locations to the school. Nghi and her friends also directly loaded the goods onto the truck to transport them to Khanh Hoa at night.

The activity was originally scheduled to last 3 days, but the amount of goods coming in was so great that the volunteer team had to extend it until the evening of November 25. “Time was tight, the work was huge, and we had to coordinate smoothly so that the goods could reach the flood victims as soon as possible,” said Gia Nghi.

There were buses that had to wait until late at night to get to the school, making it even harder for the young people. However, it was the community’s solidarity that gave them more motivation. Teachers, students and even the people brought essential items when they heard the news. “No one had to register, nor did they ask if they would receive any certificates or benefits. Those who didn’t have classes just jumped into work,” Nghi said.

Tran Gia Nghi's team took a souvenir photo after completing the support mission.

For Gia Nghi, the most memorable memory was the night of November 24 - the night the whole volunteer team stayed up late to wait for the truck to pick up the goods. “Everyone was tired but still smiled and chatted. That night, the whole group sang loudly in the school yard the songs Doan Ca, Hoi Ca, Noi Vong Tay Lon, Len Dang... When we thought we were exhausted, the singing made everyone more alert and connected.” That was a moment that Nghi believes she will never forget.

After days of continuous work, what remains in Nghi is not fatigue but pride. “I am proud of my friends, my teachers, and my people. On normal days, they are just ordinary people, but when our people are in trouble, they all beat together, working towards a single goal: helping our people overcome adversity.”

Nghi has more confidence in today’s generation of students – young people who are not only good at their profession but also have big hearts, ready to devote 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” – Nghi said proudly.

Spread the spirit of sharing

Ms. Dang Thi Cam Thuy (2nd from right) receives donated goods

During 11 years of working as a teacher, Ms. Dang Thi Cam Thuy, Head of the Professional Group - 5-6 year old kindergarten teacher, Tan Tru Town Kindergarten (Tan Tru Commune) has always been dedicated to children and has a sense of responsibility towards the community. Whenever there is an activity for the people, Ms. Thuy is always the pioneer, proactive and spreads the spirit of sharing.

Witnessing the images of storms and floods destroying the Central Highlands and the Central region, Ms. Thuy's first emotion was deep sympathy, especially for children and the elderly. As Secretary of the Youth Union, she understood that the cooperation of the youth was a responsibility that could not be left out.

“The Youth Union must be the leading force, doing it first to inspire,” Ms. Thuy shared. Not only stemming from the spirit of volunteerism, the donation activity also has great educational significance. For her, a preschool teacher, sowing the lesson of kindness in children’s souls from the first years of life is extremely important. “It is a vivid lesson about the spirit of “mutual love” and we are always ready to help each other overcome difficulties,” she said.

As soon as she had the idea, Ms. Thuy presented it to the Executive Committee of the Youth Union and reported it to the School Board. After reaching an agreement, 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 group, Facebook, and class newsletter.

The movement was launched in just 5 days, focusing on essential goods such as: Dry food including instant noodles, rice, drinking water, milk; basic medicines such as cold medicine, stomachache medicine, antiseptic solution; personal items such as good clothes, blankets, flashlights.

The school’s union members were assigned to receive and record the list of donors. The sorted goods were packed firmly in boxes and clearly labeled as “Preschool children’s clothes”, “Dried food”, etc. Due to the large and bulky quantity of goods, the union proactively contacted the means of transportation. All were gathered at the volunteer group of Tan Thanh Woodwork Facility (Nhat Tao commune), then transferred to a large truck to be transported to Phu Yen - where people are in dire need of support.

According to Ms. Thuy, the biggest advantage is the pioneering spirit of the union members. After only one night of planning, all the work from launching to sorting was carried out smoothly. The school also quickly arranged a spacious lobby area as a gathering point for goods, helping to save time on arranging. However, there were many difficulties.

“The amount of clothes sent in is huge. We have to check each item to ensure that our compatriots receive items that are in good condition and can be used immediately,” said Ms. Thuy. The process of sorting by age and gender requires a lot of manpower and meticulousness. Although it is hard work, the collective effort helped everything to be completed completely, on schedule and safely.

At the end of this “campaign”, what Ms. Thuy wishes most is not only for the boxes to arrive at the right place at the right time, but also for humane values to be spread. Ms. Thuy shared: “I want to send 3 messages: To the people in the flood area: “You are not alone. We always look towards you and hope that you will soon overcome difficulties”; to the youth: “Young people must be the vanguard, dare to act and be ready to share when the community needs”; to the young generation: “Kindness 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 volunteer activity is not only about giving, but also a way to cultivate good life values - from herself, from colleagues, parents and especially from the future buds of the country.

The beautiful actions of Gia Nghi and Ms. Thuy not only help people in flood-affected areas in time, but also convey a profound message about solidarity, responsibility and love./.

An Nhien

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