Every year, volunteers representing Sunflower Mission travel to Vietnam as part of our annual Work Camp to help complete a school in progress, teach workshops for local students and families, and present scholarships and gifts. Here, we document our reflections, thoughts, and lessons learned. Follow along.
by Thuy Nguyen
My name is Thuy Nguyen and I am Sara’s mom. Some of you might know my sisters: Stephanie and Yen. Stephanie is Zoe and Zak’s mom. Yen is Kyra’s mom. They had all volunteered for Sunflower Mission previously. My sisters had told me about SM—how great the organization is, how impactful the experience is and how going through the workcamp experience can enable us to learn more about where we come from. This workcamp is Sara’s and my first time.
Read Moreby Hayley Vu
At my first Sunflower Mission trip, I had a great time working with people I enjoyed being around, and because of that, I was able to make the best out of the workcamp experience. It wouldn’t have been the same if I wasn’t able to be a part of the Sunflower Mission family. Everyone was so welcoming and willing to help me.
Read Moreby Kobe Ngo
As we all sat on the bus ride that most of us have gotten the hang of, there was a sense of anticipation and excitement in the air. Along with the hundreds of elementary school students that we knew were waiting anxiously for us at the school, this feeling brought by the completion ceremony of the school that each and every member in the bus has laboriously worked towards in the previous week.
Read Moreby Toan Dao
I was originally assigned to work in the school playground today but was reassigned to help out the Lego robotics class. I was paired up with Ylan for the first class to mentor three 3rd graders. After a few minutes of instructions on robotics, programming, and Lego constructions from Amada, our instructors, it’s time for the hands-on crocodile robot building.
Read Moreby Dan Q. Dao
On our final day of working and painting, we doubled down to make sure the rooms were ready for the students to arrive for their workshops. From building a wall, brick by brick, for the playground sandbox to finalizing murals and stencil-work for the library and teacher’s room, the whole team pitched in to make it a reality. We also welcomed our teams for the medical clinic and the Lego, robotics, and 3D workshops.
Read Moreby Carissa Nguyen
The majority of today was spent painting the outer walls of the elementary school we are building in the Lam Dong province. I have ruined yet another T-shirt, but we are now many walls closer to completing our goal! Getting closer to finishing painting also means that we were ready to start setting up the school’s library, and with it, a Lego display.
Read More
