"Excerpt from the notebook "The Boiling Years"

The whole team's eyes widened when he announced the upcoming trip. A volunteer trip hundreds of kilometers away from Hanoi - Lao Chai commune, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province.

We were surprised because there were only two weeks left before everything was ready to return to the people in the land of mountains and forests, of vast terraced fields, of white blooming Ban and Apricot flowers, of the gentle, hard-working, but poor people of the highlands... the new team leader informed us. My first feeling - and perhaps the whole "group of people in green shirts" in the team meeting room at that time - was excitement and... confusion. Just recently, I passed the university entrance exam and officially became a new student of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, all the confusion with the bustling, noisy Hanoi, with the new routine, studying with friends, teachers from all over the country had not yet "cooled down", then I was about to go with the team to another land. Excited! But, more worried!

We only had 2 weeks to roll up our sleeves and hang around Thuong Tin and high schools to raise funds, sponsor the trip and bring back gifts for the people. The team leader's plan was thoughtful and careful... but the risk was high. Because the team had just replaced a series of new, inexperienced soldiers, the responsibility and tasks assigned to them were huge. We were determined and excitedly awaited the first day of work. The whole team divided into groups according to the school schedule, the group that was free during the day went to the "bunker" at Voi market - Thuong Tin to look after and receive donations. In the evening, we stayed to sort clothes, pack candy, rice, salt, etc. The enthusiasm of the people in Thuong Tin made us forget all the fatigue of having to move continuously for those 2 weeks. Everyone came to support us, some sent money, some sent rice, some gave clothes, some gave Lao Chai people hundreds of kilos of salt, etc. We teased each other, saying that "Voi market is not only a hub for traders, but has become a benefactor of volunteers". Then the high school students kept chattering: "Can I donate old books? I think there are many children up there", "Can I participate if I only have a few clothes? I really want to contribute with everyone". And I was happy to see their eyes shining with pure joy.

The success was amazing when 2 weeks passed by in the blink of an eye and the amount of donations we received was beyond imagination, there were still people contacting us to donate clothes, there were still phone calls offering to help... but we had to go. We would like to thank everyone for their kindness, thank you for the hot, nutritious meals on the spot, and thank you for the genuine warmth of the Team Leader's parents.

Car of people and car of goods… we go.

The children of Nhan Van go, bringing with them the sunshine of enthusiasm, of Nhan Van youth to warm the highlands of Lao Chai.

Departing at 9pm on February 1, 2015, 29 Xung Kích members left behind a Hanoi sparkling with lights to anxiously wait to set foot on a strange land. The bus ride was noisy and joyful with songs that everyone dedicated to each other until the incident happened. At that time, it was 2am to 10am on February 2, both buses had landed in Yen Bai.

Rain…

The road we were on was severely degraded by the heavy trucks that had passed by before. All the team members had to get off the vehicle because it tilted. And at that moment - the moment I realized that in addition to the "green shirts" getting off the vehicle, their bodies trembling from both the cold and fear, holding each other's hands, groping for fear of losing each other, of slipping and falling, all around me was darkness with a mountain on one side and a cliff on the other - I burst into tears. I was scared, but those tears were for my friends. Sharing makes miracles happen, and when people experience miracles together - unconsciously - they create a strong bond. I have proven that through my own story.

Humanities has given this newbie so many priceless things. And one of them is the other “Humanities”, the friends who wrote and packaged the memories of my youth with me.

The 2-day, 3-night trip to Lao Chai ended with 1,500 sets of clothes, 230 gifts (including warm coats, socks, slippers, scarves, etc.), 50 Tet gift packages, 900 notebooks, 20 sets of textbooks, 200 kilos of rice, 220 kilos of salt, 900 packs of noodles, etc. handed over to the children and the people of the highlands. With the muddy and slippery road that is the road to school and the fields every day being repaired. With the National Anthem being sung high and resounding in the deep mountains and forests. The poverty is still there, the hearts are still aching...

As for me, returning from the trip is also a lot of love that has been sprouted and nurtured. Love for Humanity, must certainly be love for Humanistic people.