With youthful enthusiasm and desire to dedicate their time and efforts to contribute to their communities, students of the Vietnam - Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU) based in Da Nang have an active role in giving back to their communities and supporting those in need with social, charitable, and volunteering programs, thereby spreading love and kindness in society.

Members of VKU’s Hand in Hand charity group participating in the "Summer Sunshine Smile" program in May at the city’s Care Center for Street Children.

Dedication without any goals or objectives

Under the motto " Dedication without any goals or objectives", VKU’s Hand in Hand charity group has till date gathered a large number of young people who have a desire to contribute to their communities since it was established 12 years ago. In recent years, numerous meaningful activities have been carried out by the club. In particular, the 3-Day/2-Night mass mobilization campaign called "Tra Tap - Heartbeat of Love" was launched in Noc Tu Nuong Village, Tra Tap Commune, Nam Tra My District, Quang Nam Province, in August 2022 at a total cost of VND 120 million which was raised from generous donors by the club. The raised money was used to fund social and charitable activities in this rural area during the campaign. Included were free movie screenings, 100 free meals for children, farm animal breeds donated to 5 families living in very difficult conditions, 154 material gifts consisting of school uniforms, school bags, winter coats, rain boots, and more given to poor pupils. In addition, a 15-metre-long iron suspension bridge worth more than VND 50 million in total crossing the Tu Nuong Stream was built so that local people, including school pupils, find it easy to travel across this stream during the rainy season.

Student Ngo Quoc Vinh who has become a member of the group right after being enrolled at the VKU, said that he has participated in volunteer activities with the desire to develop himself, improve his communication skills, and help people in difficult circumstances.

Recently, he has participated in the program named "Morning filled with Compassion" to provide free soups for 50 disadvantaged people who are homeless, poor laborers, and single seniors across the city. Furthermore, free soups have been offered to 150 patients who are under treatment at Thanh Khe District Medical Center.

Apart from the above-mentioned program, the group did meaningful volunteer work to help children at the city-based School of Hope in June, as well conducted the "Summer Sunshine Smile" program in May at the city's Care Center for Street Children. In their efforts to create more happy moments for these unfortunate children, members of the Hand In Hand group performed some plays to entertain them.

“The group’s purpose is to lend a helping hand and provide practical support for the disadvantaged in an attempt to spread good deeds and acts of kindness in our communities to motivate and inspire others to do something to help people in need. The group's activities and programs not only provide material support for disadvantaged people, but also motivate them to overcome their current difficulties and rise up in life." Duong Tuan Dat, the group’s leader remarked.

Contributing to society while developing and improving social skills

More than 200 VKU’s students have joined the city’s "Green Summer 2023" program. In detail, the first phase of the program saw the participation of over 100 students in cleanup operations to keep the city’s environment clean and safe, as well as build internal roads and clean the martyrs cemetery located in Hoa Quy Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District.

During the program’s next phase called "Communities working together" taking place 7 days from June 25 to July 1 in Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District, the volunteers participated in the city’s tourism market campaign in Hoa Bac Commune, Hoa Vang District, as well as actively got involved in creating the city’s digital tourist map, teaching photography and video editing to local young people.

Moreover, the volunteers also assisted residents in Ta Lang and Gian Bi villages, Hoa Vang District to create electronic identification accounts for citizens, as well as teach them how to use some online public services on their local Public Service Portal. Besides, they visited and gave gifts to policy beneficiary families, and poor studious students in the two villages. During this year's volunteer campaign, VKU's Youth Union organization has donated 30 gifts totaling VND 6 million for poor children.

“The 7-day volunteer trip provided memorable experiences for me. To me, the most memorable experience that I have was the time I spent with my friends to do volunteer work as well as the time I spent with local children to teach them English and play with them. Therefore, I have the opportunity to showcase my just a small effort to contribute to society," student Le Thi Thu Ha shared.

With the desire to challenge herself, student Phan Thi Thao Mai remarked: “I have made new friends and has the opportunity to do useful things for the community while participating in this year’s “Green Summer Program”. The happiest thing for me is happiness seen through the eyes of the children in Gian Bi Village when receiving help from my group, especially after receiving gifts from us."

Talking about the meaning of VKU’s volunteer programs, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, the Secretary of VKU’s Youth Union origination said: "Hoa Bac is emerging as an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists, especially young people. This year’s our volunteer campaign was conducted in Hoa Bac Commune in the most creative and effective ways”

Reporting by HUYEN TRAM – Translating by H.L