At the Horizon

by Cindy Au

Today marked our first day at the school site for Sunflower Mission Workcamp 2026. This is my fifth Workcamp, and it feels especially meaningful as it is the first time I have the opportunity to share this experience with my significant other.

This year’s school is located in a rural Vietnamese community just 500 meters from the Cambodian border. One of the most memorable moments of the day was the journey to the site itself. We crossed an expansive river aboard a pontoon ferry, watching the landscape stretch into the distance with Cambodia visible on the horizon. Standing there, I was struck by the idea that horizons are often places where different worlds appear to meet. Though separated by national boundaries, neighboring communities share the same sky, the same river, and many of the same hopes for the future.

That spirit of connection carried throughout the day. Upon arriving, we were warmly welcomed by local residents, who gifted our team handmade hats as a gesture of hospitality. Students eagerly joined volunteers in painting classrooms, while teachers and community members worked alongside us on cleaning, playground improvements, and electrical projects. What could have been simply a volunteer effort quickly became a shared endeavor, bringing together people from different backgrounds with a common purpose: creating a better learning environment for local children.

The team wasted no time getting to work. Volunteers spread out across the playground, library, and classrooms, making significant progress on multiple fronts. It was inspiring to witness so much energy, teamwork, and dedication on the very first day.

As I reflected on the day’s experiences, the theme of “At the Horizon” felt especially fitting. Throughout the day, we found ourselves at many horizons: between familiar faces and first-time volunteers, between local residents and visiting team members, between planning and action, and between the school that exists today and the one we are helping create. At each of these meeting points, people came together with generosity, humility, and a shared sense of purpose.

I am especially grateful for the smooth travels, the strong progress made on our projects, and the overwhelming support from the local community. Just as importantly, our team is already beginning to bond. New friendships are forming, conversations are deepening, and people are opening up to one another. What began as a group of individuals is steadily becoming a community.

The perfect ending to our first day was a lively karaoke session on the school bus ride home. Filled with laughter, music, and enthusiastic singing, it was a joyful reminder that some of the strongest connections are built not only through hard work, but also through shared moments of fun.

Day One is complete, and there is still much work ahead. But if today taught us anything, it is that the things that unite us are far greater than the things that separate us. We look forward to discovering what awaits us beyond the horizon in the days to come.

Photo Credit: Alex Yem