During the 2012 summer volunteer campaign, student volunteers from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities continued their work in Soc Son district (Hanoi). This year, three teams operated in three disadvantaged communes: Kim Lu, Duc Hoa, and Dong Xuan, from July 15th to August 5th.
In Kim Lu commune
The student volunteer team in Kim Lu commune quickly deployed meaningful activities showcasing the youthful energy of the youth in four villages: Xuan Duong, Kim Thuong, Kim Trung, and Kim Ha. The focus of the Kim Lu team's activities was teaching children and teenagers. Therefore, teaching was quickly implemented in Xuan Duong village (the largest village in Kim Lu commune in terms of both area and population). The biggest difficulty the team faced was organizing a teaching session for the children there. The volunteers had to set up chairs in the village's cultural center as makeshift tables for the children to write on. The volunteer teams had to teach students from grades two to four simultaneously, but the necessary teaching materials were almost nonexistent. There were no blackboards, no desks, and no separate rooms for each grade level. Many children also lacked textbooks and chairs…
Despite the difficulties, the entire team always tries their best to organize lessons for the children. The "blue-uniformed" teachers are always dedicated to explaining things to the children when they don't understand the lesson. Many days, after returning from working on clearing canals and ditches, and after a 30-minute lunch break, the children would come knocking on the door demanding to be let in. The teachers would have to sacrifice their lunch break to teach. After each lesson, most of the teachers lose their voices and their throats are hoarse, but smiles always remain on their faces as they wear their blue volunteer uniforms. Because they all understand that they are contributing to nurturing the dreams of the children in this area.
In Duc Hoa commune
The 2012 summer volunteer team in Duc Hoa commune consisted of 38 students from four faculties: History, Management Science, Psychology, and Anthropology, along with two campaign reporters from the Faculty of Journalism and Communication. Arriving in a completely new and unfamiliar environment, the volunteers were initially quite apprehensive. Thanks to the warm welcome from the commune's Youth Union Executive Committee, the team settled into their accommodations and established rules of conduct at the Duc Hau village kindergarten on the first day. Following this, the team leaders familiarized themselves with the local situation and developed a detailed activity plan for the team's 20 days of living and working there. The team also established working committees: the Health Committee, the Logistics Committee, the Professional Committee, the Culture and Sports Committee, the Reproductive Health Propaganda Committee, etc. Over a week of work, with the support and assistance of the commune's leadership, the team organized the cleaning and renovation of the Martyrs' Cemetery Memorial in Duc Hoa commune. Together with the Youth Union Executive Committee, the commune's youth and volunteer students cleaned the inter-village roads of Duc Hau, Ben, Trung, and Chua villages. They also performed community service at the national historical site of Duc Hau village's communal house and temple. In the evenings, the team divided into 7 small groups, each going to 7 villages to assist the Youth Union branches in organizing summer activities for the children. Although the team's living conditions were still lacking and difficult, with the determination of the entire team, all difficulties were gradually overcome and stabilized. With the encouragement of the team's leadership, the school's Youth Union Executive Committee, and the commune's leadership, the student volunteers always strive to do their best, creating a positive impression in the hearts of the people about these dedicated "green-uniformed" soldiers who are wholeheartedly serving the future of the country.
In Dong Xuan commune
Along with the two volunteer teams in Kim Lu and Duc Hoa communes, the Dong Xuan commune volunteer team quickly settled in and began their work. Their first task was a labor session at the Dong Xuan commune cemetery in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day. Their main activities included mowing grass, collecting garbage, trimming trees, and cleaning the tombstones of fallen soldiers. With a serious work ethic and enthusiasm, the cleaning and sanitation around the cemetery was completed in over two hours.
During the following days of the week, the student volunteer team visited Ben, Dong, and Phu Tho villages to clean up the streets and alleys, clear drainage ditches, and continue clearing vegetation and weeding around the cemetery. Despite the consistently hot weather and difficulties with equipment, the entire team successfully completed their assigned tasks and received much praise from local leaders. Regarding organizing summer activities for children in the villages, the team planned to hold them every evening. After a week, the student volunteer team from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in Duc Hoa commune had reached 7 out of 12 villages and is currently organizing evening activities in 5 villages: Ca, Dong, Ben, Phu Tho, and Thuong. After the first week of activities, with a scientific approach to work, coupled with youthful energy and enthusiasm, the student volunteer team of Dong Xuan commune not only achieved many labor results recognized by the Youth Union and the commune, but also built a strong solidarity and a warm family atmosphere among its 34 members. This is the motivation and great encouragement that helps the entire team continue to strive to complete the work of the next two weeks so that the 2012 summer volunteer activities truly fulfill their purpose.
