by Vinh Pham
We came to paint six new classrooms and build a playground. I want to tell you three small stories that happened because I think they're bigger than they look.
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by Sara Akerbeg
As Workcamp comes to a close today, I am not sure there are enough words to describe how I feel. It has been hot, humid, and at times rainy, yet this place has come to feel like a second home.
I will admit that I have been slow to write this reflection. Words never seem enough to capture the emotions that come from being part of something like this. But despite that, I want to try.
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by Emma Tran (an incoming 7th grader from Houston, Texas)
Volunteering has become the most rewarding part of my life. Having joined the Workcamp for three years, twice with my larger family and this year alongside my mom, I continue to gain new perspectives.
Seeing the reality of life in rural Vietnam, including the long walks to school, the lack of supplies, and the worn-down classrooms, is a major reality check. It puts my own daily complaints into perspective and reminds me to be truly grateful for what I have.
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by Tuyet-Hoa
The fourth day marked the completion of the H.O.P.E Library project, turning our shared hope into reality.
Day by day, we painted together with one simple goal: to create a space where children can learn, play, and grow. Every brushstroke was more than just decoration. It carried our love, care, and hope for the children who would one day fill this library with laughter and curiosity.
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by Y-Lan Dao
Today was one of those days that made me pause and appreciate how far we have come.
When we first arrived at the school, there was still so much to do. The classrooms were unfinished, the walls needed attention, and every corner seemed to need a little extra care. But today, as we worked on the finishing touches for the classrooms, it finally started to feel real. We cleaned paint from the window sills, scraped paint from the floor tiles, and touched up areas that needed a little more care. These were small tasks, but they carried a bigger meaning to me. Every paint-covered wall and every cleaned surface brought us closer to creating a space where students could learn, dream, and grow.
by Caden Dang
June 4th was always a special day for me. I never thought it was anything more than a birthday, but today has created a new meaning behind it. It would become an inspiring moment, a loving experience, and a birthday I could never forget.
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