I(We) Made A Sunflower

by Lê Nguyễn Anh Thư

After our first day at Workcamp, I found myself wishing that time would slow down. I wanted to do as much as possible, experience as much as possible, and make every moment count during this journey.

Before coming here, the people around me and I wondered how people who do not even speak the same language could truly connect with one another. But perhaps we were all wrong.

I have already made a few new friends. We talk as if we have known each other for years. And now, on only the second day of Workcamp, it feels like I can start a conversation with anyone who walks by. Sometimes we do not even need words. We simply greet each other with a smile, a glance, or a small gesture. It is amazing. Could this be the magic that happens when people come together with the same purpose: creating a better future and a better education for children?

Today, we continued painting the library walls. My task was to paint a super big sunflower in the center of one of the murals. As I worked, I kept thinking: this flower will stay here with the students for years to come. It will become part of their school, part of their memories.

My teammates are incredibly encouraging people. They kept telling me that I was doing a great job and saying, “Đẹp quá!” Those words meant more to me than they probably realized. They made me want to work even harder and do even better.

Eventually, though, my neck started to ache from looking up for so long. I had to take a break. I am especially grateful to my teammates, who immediately stepped in to help finish the rest of the sunflower and insisted that I get some rest. Here, we accept one another and support one another. Opportunities to experience a community like this are rare, and I do not take them for granted.

In the end, the sunflower turned out beautifully. People walking past stopped to admire it, and I truly believe we did good work today.

Later in the afternoon, we visited Cham villages in An Giang Province. I have studied Cham culture before, but having the opportunity to experience it up close is something entirely different. We live in the same country, yet I found myself constantly surprised by what I saw. It reminded me how much there is still to learn, not only about the wider world, but also about the cultures and communities within my own homeland, Vietnam. Perhaps I have spent too much time staying within my comfort zone. There is still so much waiting to be discovered.

The evening ended with a warm celebration for all of the campers with birthdays in June. It was simple, thoughtful, and incredibly sweet. The cake was delicious, too.

After dinner, we invited the U.S. students to join us for karaoke, a beloved Vietnamese tradition. I honestly think every Vietnamese person loves karaoke, and nobody really cares whether you can sing well or not. The only thing that matters is having fun together.

And that is exactly what we did!

We ended the night singing songs that many of us grew up with. At some point, everyone suddenly stood up and started dancing. I still do not know how it happened. But at that moment, there were no barriers between us. No differences. No distance.

At that exact moment, the sunflower inside me finally bloomed.

I just want to say that I love all of these people, and I cannot wait to share even more joy, laughter, and memories together in the days ahead.

And one more thing, this is actually my very first Workcamp. Maybe it should not be my last. ^^