Swimming in the sea, watching movies, staying at hotels, going to museums and watching fireworks were extremely memorable experiences for 100 highlands children during their trip to Da Nang.

Among the 100 highland children, 50 are orphans under the "Going to School in the Mountains" project and 50 are excellent pupils from schools in four districts of Nam Tra My, Tay Giang, Dong Giang (Quang Nam) and Tra Bong (Quang Ngai). Most of them are in difficult circumstances.

Experiencing normal things for the first time

Swimming in the sea, watching movies, staying at hotels and going to museums are very familiar to downtown kids but strange to children in the highlands.

Understanding the disadvantages of highlands children, Mr. Nguyen Binh Nam, Chairman of the ‘Ban Thuong Nhau’ Club, who has engaged in many volunteer activities in mountainous areas, has coordinated with generous donors to organize the programme "Highlands Children Go Downtown". The purpose of the programme is to facilitate children in the highlands to experience the coastal city of Da Nang.

The children are excited to see a movie on a large screen for the first time

Recently, the 4^th edition of the programme took place from June 7 to 9 with the participation of 100 children from schools in four mountainous districts of Nam Tra My, Tay Giang and Dong Giang in Quang Nam Province, and Tra Bong in Quang Ngai Province. Most of the child participations are in difficult circumstances.

This is the first time the highlands children have visited the coastal city, enjoyed local cuisine, visited museums, played at entertainment centres, gone swimming at the beach, watched movies in theaters, slept well on soft mattresses, and tried breakfast buffet at the hotel.

According to Mrs. Tra Thi Thu, teacher of the Tra Tap Primary School for Ethnic Minorities in Tra Tap Commune, Nam Tra My District, Quang Nam Province, in the village, children only knew the city through television screens or phone devices. Therefore, when they heard there was a free trip to the city, everyone was excited and prepared their clothes for their trip.

“The trip has brought joy not only to the children but also to our teachers" she added.

The day she heard the news of being able to take part in the trip to visit Da Nang, Ho Thi Hao,14, from the Tra Cang Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, Tra Cang Commune, Nam Tra My District, Quang Nam Province, was full of joy and excitement. Hao's summer this year had many beautiful memories with just three days in Da Nang.

“I can play and eat as much as I want, so I'm very happy. Here everything is new to me. This is the first time I have watched a movie on a super big screen, and gone swimming at the beach. Additionally, I also get gifts of candy and new clothes" Hao said excitingly.

The children continuously express their joy and excitement at seeing fireworks at a close distance for the first time.

Marveling at brilliant fireworks displays

Aside from experiencing fun and entertainment activities for the first time, highlands children were delighted at colourful fireworks displays combined with lively sounds on the opening night of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2024 on the evening of June 8.

When watching fireworks performances, the children showed their surprised face with eyes and mouth wide open. Some of them constantly applauded and kept saying "so beautiful". In contrast to the excitement of some friends, some children were timid and startled when they heard the sound of firecrackers exploding in the sky.

Mr. Nguyen Binh Nam giving medals to pupils with outstanding academic achievements.

Nguyen La Huyen Suong, 13, from the Tra Don Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, Tra Don commune, Nam Tra My District, smiled brightly and immersed herself in the brilliance of the countless red, blue, yellow, and white colours of the fireworks.

“I didn't expect fireworks to be so beautiful. I wish my parents and children were also here to watch fireworks. This is the most beautiful memory I have ever had" Suong shared.

Mr. Nguyen Binh Nam said that thanks to the support and love of the sponsors for the highlands children, the meaningful programme has been maintained for four times.

He hoped that the programme will be a beautiful memory for the childhood of highlands children, thereby helping them gain more experiences, broaden their horizons and creating studying motivation for them to change their lives.

The 3-day/2-night trip ended, but memorable experiences still remained in the hearts of the highlands children and volunteers.

Reporting by THU DUYEN - Translating by M.DUNG, V.DUNG