'Miracle' from young hearts on Ngoc Linh mountain

After the opening day of September 5, a new school was inaugurated on the top of Ngoc Linh mountain thanks to the joint efforts of young volunteers. That is Lang Luong school (belonging to Chu Van An Primary School) in Tra Tap commune, Da Nang city...

Atop the majestic Ngoc Linh mountain, where clouds and mist frequently envelop the area, hidden deep within Tra Tap commune, Nam Tra My district, former Quang Nam province (now Tra Tap commune, Da Nang city), lies a beautiful story of kindness and love.

Building a school on Ngoc Linh mountain.

The Lang Luong school (Chu Van An Primary School) in Tra Tap is nestled deep within the Ngoc Linh mountain range, shrouded in clouds all year round. There, the path to school for the Cor and Xe Dang children is never a leisurely stroll. It's a journey along steep rocky slopes, across streams, and the tireless footsteps of tiny children sowing seeds of dreams on the mountaintops.

The old school building had wooden walls, with rain and wind blowing in from all sides...

PHOTO: BINH NAM

For many years, difficulties have plagued the Lang Luong branch of Chu Van An Primary School in Tra Tap commune. It's an old, dilapidated school building, temporarily constructed from flimsy wooden planks, exposed to the elements, damp and cold when it rains. Surrounded by the cold mountains and forests, the teachers and students cling to each other, holding onto their education.

In the Lang Luong area, the children's parents spend their lives working in the fields and on the farms. Without this school, first and second graders would have to travel a very long distance, and many would likely drop out. Third, fourth, and fifth graders would have to walk for more than three hours to reach the main school in Tra Tap commune, a journey fraught with danger and challenges... But those footsteps leave their mark on every rock and every tree trunk as they make their way to school each day.

The new school building was inaugurated just in time for the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

PHOTO: HOANG LIEM

Teachers, students, local authorities, and volunteers were overjoyed to see the Lang Luong school officially inaugurated.

PHOTO: HOANG LIEM

Seeing those difficulties, the "Friends Who Care" Club decided to take action... The total construction cost amounted to 750 million VND, a considerable sum, and all of it came from voluntary contributions. Individuals like Lan Phuong, a former student of Phan Chau Trinh High School in Da Nang, currently living in Hanoi , contributed 500 million VND to provide the project with initial funding. And then came the collective support of other philanthropists.

Building a school in the high mountains is far more expensive than in the lowlands. The difficulties aren't just financial. There are treacherous roads, steep slopes, and frequent landslides. Construction materials cannot be transported by vehicles; they must be carried in by hand, relying on local people to haul them up. These local people have become invaluable collaborators. They readily abandon their work in the fields, their rice and corn harvests, to help carry bricks and sand. Their dedication stems from a simple desire: for their children to go to school and receive an education.

Mr. Ho Van Tai, who donated land for the school's construction, shared emotionally, "I only hope that the children around here can go to school and receive a proper education." Amidst the storms of the mountains, human kindness becomes warmer and stronger than ever. Each brick, each bag of cement carried up the steep slope, is not just building material, but also represents the love and compassion of the local people and members of the "Friends Who Care" Club.

The school is filled with love.

Now, the Lang Luong school has been completely transformed. The new, spacious, and sturdy school stands out amidst the green of the mountains and forests, like a symbol of life and hope; no more rotting wooden walls, no more drafts or leaks... The school has solar power, bookshelves, and beds for children to nap at lunchtime... Currently, there are only 10 students, but more children from nearby areas will be brought to this modern school... so that they can study in a complete and fulfilling environment...

The new classrooms at the new school site are spacious and clean.

PHOTO: BINH NAM

Students at the school also received gifts from volunteers, including uniforms, notebooks, pens, milk, and snacks.

PHOTO: HOANG LIEM

The bookshelf was donated to the students of Lang Luong school by the "Friends Who Care" Club on this occasion.

PHOTO: CLUB OF FRIENDS WHO LOVE EACH OTHER

Teacher Nguyen Viet Thao, who has been dedicated to this school, couldn't hide her emotion. For her, the school's construction was like a "miracle," because more than anyone else, she understands the difficulties and obstacles involved in building it. Now, she can not only teach but also cook lunch for her students in the spacious, well-equipped kitchen. These meals, filled with love, provide energy for the little feet as they walk the path to literacy. For the children, this school is not just a place to learn, but also a second home, where they are loved, protected, and cared for.

This transformation not only brought joy to the teachers and students but also spread to the entire community. Mr. Truong Cong Mot, the school principal, expressed his deep gratitude to the "Friends Who Care for Each Other" Club: "Your help has brought a dream school to the students in the highlands. We are extremely grateful for these generous hearts."

Mr. Ngo Tan Lac, Vice Chairman of Tra Tap commune, was also deeply moved: "The collective efforts of young people have greatly supported children in mountainous areas in attending school. It gives more motivation to teachers in remote areas, helping them alleviate some of their hardships..."

The journey to literacy for the children in the highlands at the new school has become somewhat less arduous.

PHOTO: CLUB OF FRIENDS WHO LOVE EACH OTHER

From the central coastal city of Da Nang , passionate and loving people have brought warmth and knowledge to the cold peak of Ngoc Linh mountain. They have not only built a school with bricks and lime, but also built dreams and bright futures for the children here. The new school, the new kitchen, the new dormitories are not just physical facilities, but also represent human kindness, sharing, and hope.

Mr. Nguyen Binh Nam, Chairman of the "Friends Who Care" Club, looked at the children playing in the new schoolyard with a radiant smile. Mr. Nam shared: "Seeing the children come to school and study in a clean and spacious school is the greatest reward for our efforts. We believe that with a better school, the children here will have the opportunity to study, go further on their future journey, and return to contribute to building their village..."

Quynh Nhu, a member of the "Friends Who Care" Club, said emotionally, "Now that I see the children studying in a decent school, I feel that my small contributions and those of my friends have been truly meaningful..."

Mr. Nguyen Binh Nam, Chairman of the "Friends Who Care" Club, said that Lang Luong school is the 19th school that the club has jointly built after 15 years of establishment.

Following the construction of the Lang Luong school, the "Friends Who Care" Club continued its work building the Rang Chuoi school (part of Chu Van An Primary School). Previously, the Rang Chuoi school had been rebuilt by a volunteer group, but in November 2024, due to prolonged heavy rains, the school collapsed, forcing students to study elsewhere. Therefore, this time, the "Friends Who Care" Club decided to survey and begin rebuilding at a new location, with a construction cost exceeding 1 billion VND.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phep-mau-tu-nhung-trai-tim-tuoi-tre-tren-nui-ngoc-linh-185250908165538466.htm