Warm Embrace

by Kory Ngo

Hello 2024 Work Campers!

I hope you’re all geared up and ready to go for Sunflower Mission’s 20th Anniversary work camp in Kien Giang! My name is Kory, and this will be my fourth… no, wait, fifth year of work camp— I'm starting to lose count. I’m so excited to once again embark on this journey that has continued to shape the foundation of my character and grounding motives. Each work camp has consistently brought me the same outcomes: a profound sense of fulfillment, an opportunity to grow as a leader, and, above all, a transformative experience. These experiences, unique and enriching each year, have been instrumental in my personal growth. This year, there are a few new aspects: this will be the first time we will work on the second floor, over 30 work campers from last year are returning, and six of our very own scholarship recipients will be joining us! I can’t wait to see what this year’s work camp has in store for us, and I’m sure it will be equally transformative for each one of you.

Completing the construction of this school and holding workshops for the children of this village will be paramount to their futures. This school, a testament to our collective efforts, will help lower the barriers preventing these children from receiving a proper education. As a result, these children will be inspired and equipped with the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. By empowering them with the tools to succeed, we are not just building a school but also building a brighter future for this community’s youth.

However, it is important to remember that this experience is not just for the students attending the school; it is also for you all, the volunteers. As someone who has been attending work camps since I was nine years old, a word of advice I would give to all work campers is to embrace it. Embrace the culture, embrace the blazing heat, embrace the seemingly insurmountable tasks put before you, and embrace each other— the family that will be forever bonded throughout the course of this trip. What comes of this experience is up to you and how much you’re willing to put forth. That being said, don’t forget to have fun and truly soak in this experience !