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 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 Moreby Dan Q. Dao
Today, we wrapped up our various painting projects, including a sunflowers mural painted by: Phoebe, Tyler, Kyra, Zoe, Zak, and Hayley. See how Day 2 of Workcamp went down with this photo gallery.
Read Moreby Dan Q. Dao
Today, we visited the school site for the first time and immediately got to work painting the five classrooms and bathroom, starting the mural work in one classroom, and clearing the yard of trash and debris. See how the day went down in the photo gallery below!
Read More
