"The best feeling of happiness is when you’re happy because you’ve made somebody else happy."

Hi guys, before reading my post, please take a couple of minutes to answer this question
What makes you happy?

Great, I’d love to hear about your happiness, please comment below to let me know.
Now, it's my turn to share what makes me feel happy.

I have been keen on social activities since I was in high school. That’s why I took part in many clubs from my first year at the university. There are lots of clubs which work for many different purposes such as Soft skills club, Hugo English club, BK dancing club, BK stars club, etc. But the one which is interesting me much more is The Social Work Group. You know, improving our skills while we are students is important, but not enough for me. I’d like to do something meaningful in my life or at least I feel happy. I decided to be an official member of the Social Work Group. We celebrate many activities during the year such as Mid-Autumn for Children, Happy Day, Giving dumplings to street janitors… And the largest event with the participation of more than 100 volunteers is The Spring Voluntary Trip which is held annually on the first days of the year.

Where do we often go?

We often do volunteering in some small villages which are deep inside the mountain in Quang Nam province where an ethnic minority called Co-tu is living. I can say for sure that people here have extremely low incomes. More than 60% of households are poor with an income of less than 1.5 million VND/month (nearly $65/month). It’s too low for living, right. With a low living standard like that, we can imagine how hard their life is.

Our volunteer trip to Zuoih commune in Quang Nam province on the New Year

To share some of the difficulties, we decided to choose the mountainous areas in Quang Nam province as the location for our volunteer trip that takes place annually on the first days of the New year. This was the trip to Zuoih Commune, a small village near Vietnam - Laos border.

What do we often do there?

Most of our members are students. What we have is the enthusiasm of youth and spirit that is not afraid of difficulties. We have organized more than ten volunteer trips there. So I think I will tell you about the last trip held in the early of 2021.

A concrete yard in front of the community house

In a village, the Gouil house (the community house) is used for important events that happen in that village such as meetings, problems solving, parties, etc. The Guoil house is associated with the spiritual life of the people in the village.
It was built a really long time ago and made of wood only. The yard in front of the Gouil house is formerly a dirt one that becomes muddy and dirty every time it rains. This might be the hardest job we’ve ever done. There were more than 80 volunteers and villagers who joined in building the concrete yard for 2 days. It was soaking days by day. We had to cover the yard right after concreting. We had a lack of constructing tools so it took more energy than usual.

Some volunteers and villagers are trying their best to construct the yard

Besides, it was so cold on the mountain. We didn’t have enough raincoats so that some volunteers got sick while we were constructing. But after all, with our efforts, WE DID IT.

Clean up around a primary school

Before we arrived, there were lots of grass and garbage around the primary school. Facilities were old and out of date. We mowed the grass around the schoolyard, cleaned the windows and tables, tidied the classrooms, and made a new bookshelf with lots of comics for students could come to read.

Some volunteers are removing the grass at the schoolyard

Give scholarships to students who are in poor households but study well

We can go to school so easily that sometimes we feel lazy and want to have the days off. However, there is a big difference in the mountainous area. People here don’t appreciate much about sending their kids to school. In the harvest season, the adults even force their children to skip the classes for working on the farm. One more reason is that the school is often far away from their houses. It takes students many hours to walk to school. Some students have to wake up at 4 a.m to reach school. That’s why there aren’t enough students every day. During the time here, we would gather all children around, organize some games and give some gifts if they win. There were lots of smiles on our faces. We all felt very happy.

Some volunteers and children are having an exciting time together

Celebrate a cultural exchange with the local people

This was the most awaited event of our trip. On the second evening, we will celebrate a cultural exchange with the local people. There were many kinds of performances such as singing, dancing, comedy, flash mob dancing, or even fire dancing. We were all excited about the traditional gong dance of the villagers. You know, each country, each ethnic minority community have their dance showing their culture. And “Gong dance” is the beauty of the culture of Co-tu ethnic minority and only be performed on important occasions.
After performances, we gather and dance around a massive bonfire. We hold other hands and danced together. I thought we’re like such a big family.

We are watching attentively the performances. The girl who is wearing a red coat is so cute.

This is a traditional dance of Co-tu ethnic minority

A young man is preparing for his fire dancing

One of our performances. A story about two little orphans and how they keep optimistic in their difficult lives

XTN stands for Xuan Tinh Nguyen. It means The Spring Volunteer Trip

But it’s just the beginning. Because a party is waiting for us. At this party, we drink will rice wine. It’s a bit of shame but I got drunk that night. Maybe I as well as some other members drank much. Someone even couldn’t come back house and have to need help from friends. Oh, I think people often tell the truth when they get drunk. Luckily I didn’t tell them my secret, LOL especially the person I was having a crush on =))))

We are happy because....

We made a concrete yard
As I told you, we had put almost 200 percent of our power to construct the yard. Although everyone was exhausted after the trip, it's worth the effort we put in. From that on, local people wouldn't worry about getting muddy and dirty when it rains.

we had the time together without interrupting of cell phones
In this modern life, we often get attached to electronic devices. We spend much time on the social network more than the real life. Because there is no telecommunication signal in this area so the members could send all their attention to the trip. We had more time to talk and understood each other.
No fatigue can take away our smiles

someone became a couple after the trip
It's the truth but not for me. We could stay and work together. My friend had a crush on a girl. During this trip, he had time to be beside and take care of her. In the second night, after he got drunk, he confessed his love to her and she said "Yes". Wow, what's a lucky boy.

Yub, that's right. This is the boy and the girl I'm talking about

we celebrated New Year's Eve together
Traditionally, Vietnamese usually make "Chung" cake or "Tet" cake when the new year is coming. When I was a little young boy, I used to help my grandmother make and cook "Tet" cake some days before Lunar New Year. New Year is a great time for family gatherings and having great meals together. In order to make an unforgettable memory, we let our members make and pack "Chung" cake. Some people would stay overnight to cook "Chung" cake to make sure that they are ready to be used by the next morning.

They are "Chung" cake (on the left) and "Tet" cake (on the right) which Vietnamese always eat in the new year

we received many specialties from some households around
This is the one I'd love most. I joined the dining team which is in charge of preparing all the food for more than 100 volunteers. While I was cooking in the kitchen, one man returned from working and brought us many kinds of fruit like mango, rambutans, durian, jack fruits which he had received from some households. Although people here are poor, they are friendly and generous. I couldn't put into words how happy I felt at that time.

The dining team was making food. It's hard to imagine how you can cook for more than 100 people in such a small kitchen

Thanks for spending time reading my post!
Now, let me share you some other pictures!

A woman holding her baby in her arms. Their smiles always make us feel happy

This is one of our lunches. We don't have a nice restaurant but we have friends and that's enough

A cute boy is watching performances. I have no idea about what makes him suprising

We are washing our constructing tools

A relaxing moment with flash mob dancing

And the last words I want to tell you:

“We might have many trips in our life. But the trip which is the most meaningful is the one we bring happiness to people.” Rem Nguyen

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A small trip for an ENORMOUS HAPPINESS