Therefore, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) decided to support food, groceries, and personal items for its students. Along with volunteers, teachers themselves also became special “shippers”. The goodwill of teachers and volunteer-students contributed to spreading a humane message: No one is left behind!
Principal Pham Quang Minh presents gifts to support students
So that children are not left behind
This humanitarian activity originated from an open letter from Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Vice Principal of the school, when the whole country implemented social distancing for 10 days (April 10). In the letter, Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan expressed: “Teachers know that some students staying in Hanoi are starting to have difficulties with their daily living conditions. To help them feel secure in preventing the epidemic and studying effectively, the school will support food and provisions for students in difficulty. The school will deliver the gifts directly to or to a location near where the students are staying so that they can receive them conveniently, safely and as soon as possible. Students just need to fill out the online registration form, provide information about where they are staying, and the school will be there.”
The first food distribution took place on April 11, in addition to the Youth Union, teachers in the Board of Directors, leaders of departments, offices, and units of the school also participated. 600 food packages were delivered to students, a great source of encouragement for them in this difficult time. As one of the special "shippers", Mr. Tran Bach Hieu, Secretary of the School Youth Union, shared that participating in delivering food to students made teachers feel warm and secure because their students were no longer in need. Some students received gifts with red eyes because of emotion.
Ly A Nhia (Mong ethnic group, in Son La), a second-year student of the Faculty of Tourism, shared: "I live in Me Tri dormitory and work as a parking attendant here with a monthly salary of 1.2 - 2 million VND. When Hanoi recorded the first case, I could not return to my hometown because my hometown did not have phone signal and internet to study online. Since the request for social isolation, work has been suspended, my main food is instant noodles. On April 11, when I received a gift from the Principal, I was very touched and immediately volunteered to participate in giving gifts to other students. I feel that I should not only receive gifts but also have the responsibility to support other students in the same situation."
A message to send
Ms. Dinh Nhat Le (Faculty of Tourism) participated in the gift distribution on April 18. Thinking that "the way you give is better than what you give", the teachers decided to bring gifts to the students. Ms. Le said that this time alone, the faculty had 14 people participating in giving gifts to 50 students in the areas. "We do this with the desire to erase the gap between teachers and students. Only with closeness, understanding and empathy can teaching and learning be effective. This work demonstrates the spirit true to the name of the school with a 75-year history," Ms. Le emphasized.
Also a "shipper" in the same batch as Ms. Le, Mr. Ngo Tuan Thang (Faculty of International Studies) said that all teachers participating in this batch had carefully prepared everything and strictly followed the epidemic prevention regulations. Before delivering the goods, the teachers sent emails or text messages in advance to let the students know. The teachers not only delivered necessities but also conveyed the affection of the school and benefactors to the students. "Those who received support in the first batch or were supported by their families all sent emails or text messages saying they would no longer accept it. That shows that even though the students are in a difficult situation, they know how to give up the opportunity to receive gifts to others. That contributes to spreading the humane message of this activity," Mr. Thang added.
Mr. Pham Quang Minh, the school’s principal and also a “shipper”, shared that he considers students as family members and, seeing that they are struggling with each meal, the school decided to take action. The school hopes that the support in terms of food, groceries, and personal items will help the students to ease their hardships, and at the same time, send them words of encouragement to work together to overcome difficulties during this period.
Sharing about the source of the gifts, the school leaders said that they had called on staff and lecturers to participate in supporting. Some donated money, some donated in kind, everyone wanted to contribute to help the students. Some lecturers also called on alumni, individuals, and outside organizations to join hands with the school. With this spirit, many benefactors have participated so that the program can continue in the coming days.
According to Hanoi Moi
Author:Duong Nguyen
