The 2025 Đông Giang Volunteer Trip: When Love Sprouts from Young Hearts

From small group meetings in tiny rooms to rainy days collecting donated books, the summer 2025 volunteer trip to Đông Giang left a lasting impression on the hearts of university students. More than just delivering gifts to the highlands, they brought back something even more precious — “seeds of happiness” nurtured by the bright eyes of children, warm embraces, and the glow of a campfire deep in the mountains.

Packing love into every gift

The Đông Giang journey began with modest planning sessions — sometimes in a cramped dorm room, other times in the university library — where we sat together discussing every detail: how many days to go, what to bring, what to prepare. Each of us had a role: making gift lists, designing fundraising posters, reaching out to sponsors, and collecting items from friends and family.

There were scorching afternoons when we roamed all over Da Nang, collecting books, toys, and gently used clothes. There were unexpected summer showers that left us soaked to the skin, but we still braved the rain to gather every donated item. Each book, each notebook, every teddy bear was treated with care — washed, dried, and neatly sorted by age group and school level. Morning or night, nearly a dozen of us squeezed into a small room, tirelessly sorting supplies, tying bundles, labeling packages. We were a bit tired, of course, but no one complained — because all of us were excitedly counting down to the day we’d set off.

As the departure day drew near, our excitement grew stronger. Boxes filled with books and notebooks were stacked neatly, bags of teddy bears packed to the brim, and each handwritten card with heartfelt messages was carefully tucked in, ready for the journey ahead.

Arriving in Đông Giang, Our Hearts Were Warmed

Early in the morning of May 31st, we gathered in full, carrying bags and boxes, all with smiles on our faces. Everyone was excited as we loaded the supplies onto the vehicle. The road wasn’t too difficult, but it wasn’t easy either — winding through the hills for over an hour. Heavy rain poured down along the way, and we were quite worried, but luckily, as we got closer to our destination, the rain began to ease. The moment we arrived in Đông Giang, our hearts were warmed by the kind welcome from the uncles, aunts, and older siblings who were already waiting for us, ready to help unload and carry things inside.

Once everything was settled, we followed the children around the village. They were so sweet — all smiles, chatting cheerfully as they guided us through each small alleyway. Hand in hand, with polite little voices saying “yes, sir” and “yes, ma’am,” they were impossible not to adore. Đông Giang is not only a place of forests and mountains, but also a land of sparkling eyes and pure-hearted children — just one glance at them, and we felt our hearts become lighter.

That evening, we gathered around a blazing campfire. The flames shot up high, and cheers echoed through the small courtyard. The children sang and danced, and we didn’t hesitate to join in — jumping and twirling together around the glowing circle. In that very moment, as the fire burst into full flame, we felt a quiet joy rising within — a feeling that only those who have waited and given their all for something truly meaningful can understand.

The night in Đông Giang was chilly. Everyone curled up under blankets, hoping morning would come soon. But no one complained — we all knew that the next day would be the most important of the journey.

Drawing dreams with smiles

On the morning of June 1st, everyone woke up early, full of excitement for a meaningful day ahead. We grabbed a quick bánh mì and got right to work. Some of us arranged books, others hung up clothes, set up toy booths, or put up signs... Watching the small schoolyard come to life filled us with a feeling hard to describe. The children arrived early, their eyes sparkling as they looked at the toys laid out on the tables. Some walked barefoot, delighted by the shoes on display. Others hugged teddy bears tightly, while a few carefully picked out books. We had prepared everything thoroughly—from preschool to high school supplies, from backpacks, notebooks, colored pens to toys. And every item found its way into the right little hands.

It wasn’t just about giving gifts—we also organized many games like flag-stealing, puzzle-solving, and a drawing contest themed around dreams. Watching the kids run and laugh joyfully in the yard, we couldn’t help but smile along. The drawing activity was especially touching: though the sketches were messy, the dreams behind them were sincere and vivid. One child drew themselves as a doctor, another dreamed of becoming a teacher, and one quietly sketched a small house with the words, “I wish my mom would be waiting at the door when I get home from school.” We didn’t say much to each other, but in our hearts, we silently wished for all those dreams to one day come true. That afternoon, we said goodbye to Đông Giang. The rain had stopped, the sun was soft, and the clouds floated slowly—as if trying to hold us back a little longer. The hurried hugs and simple waves goodbye were warm enough to stay with us for a very long time.

On this journey, we didn’t just bring gifts to the children—we also brought home a little tree of happiness, quietly sprouting in each of our hearts. Soon, we’ll be swept back into the whirlwind of classes and exams, but the feelings we shared in Đông Giang—the children’s bright smiles, the warm hugs, and the flickering campfire under the night sky—will always remain one of the most beautiful memories of our summer in 2025.