Hey Future Me!

by Phan Châu Thuận

Fast forward to the Workcamp application time. I was buzzing with excitement! Getting accepted and having a clear schedule felt like perfect timing. But as the date neared, anxiety crept in. My life felt chaotic, and self-doubt gnawed at me. "Am I ready?" I questioned, even pulling an all-nighter the night before. Despite the fear, I showed up. And let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it.

On the first day, as I stood nervously at the hotel waiting for the bus, a warm smile from Bác Thanh suddenly put me at ease. Soon, friends from SEEDS and other volunteers came up to us, greeting us enthusiastically. Despite feeling shy and introverted, their friendliness made a great first impression.

One of the things I loved most was hearing the children ask, “Will you come back tomorrow?” Sharing stories and having fun with the kids – Trà My, Nhã, Can, Thực, Tấn, Huyền, Diệp, Châu, Như, Thành… (writing their names down so I can remember them in the future!) – felt like looking back at my own childhood. Those moments filled me with both joy and empathy. Hearing about their struggles getting to school and the challenges they face every day made me truly appreciate my own educational opportunities. It was a powerful reminder of the chances I've been given and how much Sunflower Mission has impacted my life. Education has been a game-changer for me, taking me from a place I never dreamed of to being a university student now.

Workcamp 2024 was more than just volunteering. I witnessed firsthand the incredible work of Sunflower Mission. It was inspiring to see so many people and families dedicated to the cause for such a long time. Their hard work and devotion truly deserve recognition.

Looking back, countless memories resurface: the amazing people, the touching stories, the challenging tasks, the playful moments, and even that time I pretended to walk when secretly hoping for a ride to the school site!

Big thanks for everything, especially the "now me" nudge! Here's to hoping you remember this incredible experience when you revisit this post.