During this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, the entire mountainous area of Thuong Hoa Commune in general, and the Thuong Hoa Primary and Junior High School in Quang Binh Province in particular, were filled with laughter, and a bustling, cozy Mid-Autumn Festival celebration atmosphere brought by students from the Da Nang-based Le Quy Don Senior High School for the Gifted.

Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns made from recycled items at the party for pupils at the Thuong Hoa Primary and Junior High School in Minh Hoa District, Quang Binh Province

Looking at the surprised, excited, curious and strange eyes of pupils here when enjoying the Mid-Autumn Festival, we can see how much they need happiness. Perhaps, it has been a long time since highland pupils here had a cozy and fulfilling Mid-Autumn Festival like this one.

To organise the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, 11^th and 12^th graders specialisng in Mathematics and Chemistry at the Da Nang-based Le Quy Don Senior High School for the Gifted has spent many months on preparatory works.

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration for pupils of the Thuong Hoa Primary and Junior High School, on the afternoon of the same day, a group of Da Nang students coordinated with teachers at the Thuong Hoa school to organise a contest to make Mid-Autumn lanterns from plastic bottles to help students here understand clearly about environmental protection.

The group of Le Quy Don school pupils have called for support from their parents to establish the volunteer group called ‘ATM ICE CREAM’. This group has sold ice cream at major festivals in Da Nang to raise funds for its operation. In addition, they have mobilised sponsors to accompany them to raise more funds to organise this trip.

Gifts with great spiritual significance are given by a group of Da Nang pupils to Thuong Hoa schoolers in Quang Binh Province

Aside from selling ice cream to raise funds for charity, the above group of students have carried out a number of practical activities such as going around Da Nang and some places in Quang Nam Province to ask for plastic bottles and damaged tires to make special Mid-Autumn lanterns.

Headmaster of the Thuong Hoa Primary and Junior High School Phan The Dung highlighted the significant and meaningful work by the group of Da Nang pupils in giving more sources of motivation for teachers and pupils of the Thuong Hoa Primary and Junior High School to go to school. He hoped that through the activity, more benefactors will give more financial and spiritual support to disadvantaged children here in the coming time" Mr. Dung added.

Many children attentively watching the lion dance and music performances

Through the trip, the Da Nang students not only wanted to bring a happy and cozy Mid-Autumn Festival to children in the highlands of Quang Binh Province, but also to appeal for more philanthropists to join hands to protect the environment.

In addition to the abovementioned charity activities, the group have called for support for trees, fruit trees and flowers in order to donate and plant them at the Da Nang Mental Health Nursing Care Centre to help patients here have more green space for fun and relaxation.

Reporting by BAO LAM - Translating by M.DUNG