Halfway through volunteering: Memories and affection

When I first started as a student, the word "volunteer" seemed so distant to me. It was voluntary, but what else could it be? Now, having joined the History Department's student volunteer team for the Green Summer program in Tan Dan, I truly understand its meaning.It's been 10 days, halfway through my volunteer journey, and I feel a pang of regret. Time flies so fast! Soon I'll have to leave everyone, leave Tan Dan… Looking back, I realize how foolish I was on my first day. The first day I had to leave. I say "leave," but even though I've lived away from home for two years, it still feels like I'm about to leave a long way off. My luggage was packed the night before: toothbrush, toothpaste, medicine… I kept thinking about what I might be missing. I was both excited and scared about living with strangers. 20 days, will it feel like 20 centuries? Or as short as 20 hours? Carrying my luggage, it wasn't my first time wearing a green volunteer shirt, but I felt strange. A little nervous, anxious, and… I felt grown up. At the school gate, I saw everyone in green shirts. How familiar they all were. Everyone was smiling, so cheerful, which reassured me. Such enthusiastic and approachable people. The familiar and approachable blue shirt. Everyone looked like someone I'd known before. A strangely comforting feeling! "Put this here, hehe," Thao Miss reminded the logistics team. Instant noodles, cooking oil, cups and plates… That's the logistics team. "A strong rear guard makes a strong front line," I suddenly thought of the front line and the rear guard, which was quite something. Around me, everyone was chatting excitedly. "We ate instant noodles this morning" - "Oh, I only got a loaf of bread" - "I haven't eaten anything yet. I'm too nervous to eat." Nguyen Trai Street was still bustling with traffic. I took a deep breath. Goodbye Hanoi, let's go! Tan Dan – where we will go and stay. Nearly two hours on the bus, the whole team cheered tirelessly. Folk songs from all three regions of Vietnam, traditional opera… Dang Huynh pulled out everything he could think of. The bus was piled high with belongings, everyone carrying their own bags and bundles of luggage. The car stopped in front of the small house. The whole team was joking about staying there when... "We're here! Let's all get out!" - Hai Black (the team leader) shouted. "Really?" - The whole team grinned. Going deeper into the alley was quite winding, with houses under construction, big houses, small houses... "When will we ever finish this alley?" - Huynh playfully sang along to a folk song. The whole team had another good laugh. Looking up, they saw a pretty two-story pink house. "Our team will stay here," Quang, the deputy secretary of the Tan Dan commune youth union, told Hai Black. Having just arrived, the team was still in high spirits, posing for photos and selfies. No one could beat us students! On the first day, the whole team rested and settled into their accommodation. Mrs. Hanh, the homeowner, around 50 years old, was easygoing and generous. She treated us like her own children. She provided all the necessary dishes, pots, and pans. I remember the first day, when we were all a bit disoriented carrying our belongings. All seven of us girls share a room. And we get along so well. Every time Hai Black tells us to "laugh less," as soon as he comes downstairs, we all burst into laughter again. Quynh, always proud to be called Khong Tu Quynh, has a pretty nice "nightingale" voice. Bang, the adorable but overly naive "chubby" girl. Mui, who's teased as "Convertible." Chuc, quite pretty, has the nickname "Cờ Húc." Trang is skillful with her paper fashions, paper flowers, and painting. Ha, the playful "MC." Dung, the bookworm, is always deep in thought with novels like "Burning Fire Like a Song," "If There's Still Tomorrow,"... and more books. I swear I'll never be able to read a complete novel. Ten days living with her and not improving at all. Thao, the beautiful and resourceful girl. She's always the center of attention, showing off her antics and creating laughter-filled moments for our room. Truly a student volunteer. Wearing our green shirts, we were well-liked by the locals: we got discounts on our purchases, we even got free water spinach… And the children were amazing! So adorable. Our schedule for the first five days: Morning work, afternoon work, evening cultural exchange and playing with the children. Tired, but everyone was happy! This morning, Ms. Hanh even treated us to sticky rice with peanuts. Eating sticky rice with peanuts warmed my heart, but it made me miss home, remembering the early winter mornings when my mother would wake up to cook sticky rice for me. Every day breakfast is: instant noodles, instant noodles, and… instant noodles. Everyone was delighted to have a change of pace. Good morning! Day 10 of our volunteer work.