Moments to Remember

I still remember the time I met the disadvantaged children at the Home of Affection (HoA), sponsored by Hue Help. That was also the first time I decided to do volunteer work. It brought about many changes in my life. “Joining extracurricular activities not only do good things for the communities but also improve us ourselves” as my father said. I, to tell the truth, have found this during the time I volunteer for Hue help.

I have heard many people talk about volunteer work but never tried it. Sometimes people feel fearful of change or worry about new things. Actually, this is, at times, true to me. I feel like a nightmare to go to strange places with strange people. I’m worried whether I can do it well or not. HoA is a house – like a kindergarten- that, to many people, is rather big. However, for over twenty children, is it still big? There are 4 rooms in total; a room for boys, a room for girls, a kitchen and a classroom – the place where we work as a volunteer for now. The nightmares have ended in me as a very small girl came to me and held my hand without any reason. At that time, I know what love and sympathy are for. I can feel her asking for sharing through her hands. I can not forget the smiles she gave me and eyes which hide many mental and physical things that need supports, cares and love. The coldness clears among us, me and those children, when I decided to play games and talk with them. The children are, in fact, really friendly and lovely. That picture is great and deep in my mind and heart from that time. Thus, I know that I haven’t chosen the wrong way to go there and decide to do this work.

Time flies by and it has been more than one year since the time I started work as a volunteer here. There are many things to remember. Those are moments that I am with the children and moments with foreign volunteers to help the kids with English. Hue help organisation, with the hope of helping the children have a better life later, creates opportunities for them to be fully developed through letting them attend class at school and enhance knowledge of international language – English - through lessons taught by native speakers. Many volunteers from other countries such as England, Holland, Singapore, etc, who don’t care for obstacles and the distance among countries, go here and help the children with their whole hearts. “Giving from the heart brings you more to your own heart” is the lesson I learnt working here.

Finally, I, for the time being, get much experience as well. I gradually understand more about the children and know how to give my heart to everyone, especially ones in predicament. Also, I have friendly foreign friends that I never forget. They are both parts of my life. Thus, share to be shared…is my message to all who have joined or haven’t joined the social activities like this yet.
- Hoang Thanh Thao Nguyen. Hue Help Volunteer in Vietnam