Vantai24h – 02/24/2015 - The next morning, staff of Transport 24h and volunteers visited and gave local children presents at their schools. Everyone in the group felt sad when seeing children studying in temporary classes with mud walls.
The distance between the roof and walls was about 10 centimeters so winds were constantly blowing. Hoang Dung, one of the volunteers told us: “When coming here, my heart ached from seeing the impoverished lives of children here. Although it was very cold outside and they only wore from one to two thin jackets, they still gave us innocent and bright smiles; still went barefoot to school. I truly admired them and wondered why they can stand the cold that strongly; whether they felt cold or not. But in the end, people always have to learn to adapt to situations and environments. No matter how heavy the snow will be, children will accept and live with it to survive and move on for bright future.
Den Thang Village has 6 schools in total; all of which are located on difficult and dangerous terrains. Den Thang 1 and 2 are apart from the main school points 3 to 12 kilometers if travelling by motorbike. Den Thang 3 is 1.5 kilometer walk from the main one. Ngai Thau is the farthest and most difficult school to reach. Therefore, Mrs.Phan Thi Hien- a benefactor journalist donated Ngai Thau 1 School an electric generator and 300 meters of wire. Despite the long distance and dangerous roads, volunteers of the Hanoi’s Club of Backpacking handed the generator, blankets, winter jackets and gifts to Ngai Thau School’s children. When the generator worked and produced light, the team said goodbye to Ngai Thau and returned for the charity program held at the main school point.
When the clock struck 3 pm, at the Den Thang School’s playground, volunteers and teachers prepared final stages of the program according to the schedule. The exciting and lively atmosphere along with dances performed by preschooler lighted winter and freezing night. Smiles of children when putting on new clothes, new hats, new shoes made us feel emotional. Standing next to me, Mrs. Van, the principal of nursery school talked to me in a deeply moving voice: “I do not know what to say right now but I want to express my gratitude to benefactors donating so many beautiful, good quality and indispensable items. They are very valuable to us”.
When the program finished, we sat together and listen to comments and feeling of volunteers after returning from school points. After that, members helped the school to install equipment so when children go to school next Monday, everything will be ready for them. When the night fell, volunteers had chance to talk to local teachers. In the firelights, Luu Mai Mai, the leader of charity program told us: “Today, I feel exhausted but happy. Gifts from benefactors were handed to children. We not only gave them material items such as blankets, jackets, woolen hats, socks but more importantly, we gave mental gifts to present students and next generations’ children. We have a strong hope in next generations’ future.”
Early the next morning, in the dense fog, we said farewell to Den Thang’s people to return to Hanoi for the work. The charity trip ended successfully but the freeze still continued from year to year and next year it may be even colder. But from now on, everything has changed. Local children have blankets, jackets, socks to protect themselves from the cold and many sponsors will keep incorporating to help them, so disadvantaged children can have hope in a brighter future.
(The end)
PR: Thuy Lien
Translator: Thanh Hoa
