Originated from the heartbeat

Volunteering for Ms. Thuy is not only a social activity, but also a breath, an indispensable part of life. Born and raised in the rustic land of Hai Phong, she has witnessed images that make her heart ache: Children in ragged clothes shivering in the cold wind like dry, skinny branches, or lonely old people sitting on the porch of a rickety house like a leaf about to fall from the branch. They not only flashed in her eyes, but like the wind seeping through every crevice of the rocks, leaving in her heart a haunting question: "If no one sows the seeds, who will make this field bloom?" It was that question that led her to the path of volunteering.

Ms. Vu Thi Thuy with children on a charity trip in Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province. Photo: NVCC

In 2013, a volunteer recruitment notice on social media was like a cool breeze that brought her to the Dat Cang Volunteer Club - the predecessor of the White Dove Club - Hai Phong. From a young girl full of enthusiasm, she immersed herself in trips and sleepless nights preparing gifts for poor children, like a breeze blowing through dry branches, bringing new life. Just a few months later, with her dedication and responsibility, she was elected by the members as the chairperson. Under her guidance, the club named White Dove - Hai Phong has grown more and more, taking the image of a dove spreading its wings in the blue sky as its symbol, carrying the message of peace, hope and the desire to live a beautiful life to those who still have difficulties.

When asked about how to balance volunteering and personal life, Ms. Thuy smiled gently: “In addition to the passion and advantage of the family business that helps me be proactive with my time, I also receive great support from my husband and children. Time is gold, but when doing something meaningful, it becomes joy. I also always try to arrange so as not to miss moments with my family.” That sharing is simple but warm, as if volunteering is not only a part of her life, but also an endless source of inspiration, a fire that warms her soul every day.

Contribute to nurturing the future "green shoots" of the country

For Ms. Thuy, the saying of President Ho Chi Minh when he was alive, “Only when the sprout is green can the tree be strong, only when the bud is green can the leaves be fresh, the fruit be good, only when children are properly nurtured and educated can the nation be self-reliant” is the “compass” for her volunteer journey for the community. Then she told herself, “Don’t hesitate, start from the smallest things. Volunteering doesn’t have to be great, just a willing heart.”

The joy of children with lunch from the project Raising Children in Ha Giang at Cooc Cooc Kindergarten, San Sa Ho Commune, Hoang Su Phi District, Ha Giang Province. Photo: NVCC

One of her most passionate projects is Raising Children in Ha Giang, which was launched in 2018 in Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province - a land with many difficulties. The project aims to support meals for primary school students (grades 1-3, or grades 4-5 at some schools), with a support level of 150,000 VND/child/month for 9 months of study. Every year, about 1,000 children enjoy warm, nutritious meals, helping them feel full and have more motivation to go to school.

The project is implemented in a practical and transparent manner: Teachers and parents at the schools prepare meals together from clean food, combined with rice and firewood contributed by the students' families; finances are managed through the District Department of Education and Training, with clear statements, closely monitored by parents and village chiefs; donors receive codes for each child, monitor meals via social networks and receive periodic reports on the children's health and progress. Some sponsors even visit directly, witnessing the positive changes from simple meals.

The Ha Giang Children's Feeding Project has connected with many philanthropists, providing nutritious meals for the children. Photo: NVCC

Ms. Thuy shared: “We want to support in a practical way, not spread out. Thanks to the young people in the Club, the project has spread strongly through social networks, with the hope of "lighting up the fire" every day at schools in mountainous areas”. Nguyen Thanh Lan, a young volunteer of the Club, confided: “Ms. Thuy always encourages us that every meal is a seed of hope. From her, I learned that volunteering is not just about giving, but about sending love completely”.

"Golden corn" fuels charity

Thuy’s volunteer journey has not always been smooth. There have been trips where the group has had to deal with harsh weather, muddy and slippery roads, or times when funding was lacking. During a survey to prepare for the Raising Children in Ha Giang project, the club encountered difficulties due to heavy rains and landslides. Thuy and her members had to stay up all night to find solutions, from spending more money out of their own pocket, calling for more support, to adjusting transportation plans. “There were times when we thought we had to stop, but thinking of the children waiting for their meals, we continued,” she said. That perseverance, like tree roots deep in the dry soil, has helped the club overcome many challenges.

White Dove Club - Hai Phong and its partners have carried out many charity programs in Ha Giang province in recent times. Photo: NVCC

For Ms. Thuy, trips to the highlands are living symphonies. She cannot remember how many times she and the club members have crossed difficult roads, through pouring rain and forests, bringing “warm winds” such as clothes, books, rice… to poor children. Because each trip, each smile of the people and children gives the whole group more motivation to continue to make more efforts.

One of Thuy's most memorable memories was the volunteer trip to Cooc Cooc Kindergarten, San Sa Ho Commune, Hoang Su Phi District, on May 21, 2019. After a long day of traveling hundreds of kilometers, when her body was as tired as a dry branch about to break, she and her group arrived at the place at dusk, red as fire. An old lady, with gentle eyes like the autumn breeze, sat next to a basket of golden boiled corn and cool green melons. The group surrounded her to chat and expressed their desire to buy to support. But when the money touched her hand, the old lady waved it away, her voice as sincere as the rustling of leaves: "I don't sell! I know you guys traveled a long way to help the school, help the people, I'm very happy. I picked this corn and melon early to offer you guys!"

Representatives of the White Dove Club - Hai Phong and sponsors presented money to support the construction of a Charity House for a poor family in Bac Giang province. Photo: NVCC

That moment made Ms. Thuy speechless. “The golden corn kernel” was not only a simple gift, but also a symbol of genuine humanity, fueling her volunteer journey. “The humanity here is as simple as the sound of leaves rustling in the wind, no need for embellishment, but enough to warm anyone’s heart,” she confided.

In addition to the Ha Giang Raising Children project, the White Dove Club - Hai Phong under the leadership of Ms. Thuy also carries out many other meaningful activities: building charity houses for the poor, supporting flood areas, giving Tet gifts to children, providing medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic... In 2020, Ms. Thuy was honored to be in the top 10 National Volunteer Faces, a worthy recognition for the tireless efforts of her and the Club.

MINH ANH